Van Gogh's Irises: Getty Conversations

Behind this iconic painting by Vincent van Gogh is the artist’s inspiring story about
healing, as he struggled with the challenges of a psychiatric disorder. Learn more about
this period in his life in which he produced some of his most famed work.
Getty has joined forces with Smarthistory to bring you an in-depth look at select works
within our collection, whether you’re looking to learn more at home or want to make art
more accessible in your classroom. This six-part video series illuminates art history
concepts through fun, unscripted conversations between art historians, curators,
archaeologists, and artists, committed to a fresh take on the history of visual arts.
A conversation with Dr. Scott Allan, Associate Curator, Paintings Department, Getty Museum and Dr. Steven Zucker, Executive Director, Smarthistory, in front of Irises, 1889, Vincent van Gogh. Oil on canvas, 74.3 x 94.3 cm. Getty Museum, Los Angeles

[@WondrousEarth]

An excellent discussion about the vibrant work of Van Gogh, I had no idea that he composed this vibrant painting Irises, while at the asylum and from what is said, in the courtyard there.

[@richsw]

A justifiably famous canvas, I don't think he painted anything more lovely.

[@markberryhill2715]

That " View of Paris" (1886) done it for me. That was beautiful. I had never seen that one before and might have to Google it when I get off here.

[@djbouncer420]

This video feels like I’m in a museum and a friendly guide is explaining me the true beauty of this painting.

[@radicalcenter3902]

Always right on the money! Thanks

[@lastdays9163]

How have I NEVER been to this channel! So good!

[@Deecember16]

Terrific analysis. Very informative. This painting was a highlight of my visit to the museum.

[@paulafletchaa2613]

My gran used to always love irises

[@markberryhill2715]

All good grandma's do!

[@BECK_4D]

@@markberryhill2715 My grandma too! She was called Blanca Iris (blanca mean white in spanish we are from Costa Rica) and I found really interesting that there is only one white flower on the painting, I just got a handkerchief with this painting and wanted to know more about it I'm really happy with it :)

[@markberryhill2715]

@@BECK_4D my oldest sister lives in my grandmas old house and I'm the gardener for her and still find flowers of hers(grandma) still coming up voluntarily more than 30 years after she died. She's still watching over them flowers 💐 in her yard. (She would be 120+ years old)

[@ignaciogs6500]

This is a lovely analysis. ♡

[@hallymariah45]

I love Van Gogh...I bought his book..."Letters To Theo." Thank you for sharing...

[@jerryg.8767]

Didn't know about the Japanese woodblock print influence on Van Gogh!

[@marlenaforbes-reidy9876]

Excellent photos, history and documentary on this amazing artist Van Gogh. Thank you 🌸🙏🏼

[@ingridllinas5612]

Thank you for the impecable description of van Gogh’s irises.

[@matthewgabriel7322]

It's a floral portrait!!!

[@pjohnnyboy7]

Good video

[@judeirwin2222]

There was a shot of the single white iris, but no mention of it as the means of pulling the eye up through that ascending wave if curvaceous blades and stems. I think that was an important omission in an otherwise very insightful analysis.

[@gabrielabosenberg3987]

I love van Gogh and his paintings. And love to hear all I can from his work. This is a fantastic description of his Irises. Thank you so much.

[@mitsuvlog2021]

Nice video for deep understanding about Van Gogh!

[@ArshakAndriasov]

Van Gogh’s Irises are full of inventive methods, yet their emotional content is clearly sad. After entering an asylum in Saint-Rémy, France, Mr. Van Gogh chose to work on these Irises within the first week of his stay.

[@yellowNred]

Wow. Beautifully articulated. 🌹👍👌🙏

[@jesusl4739]

Best painting I’ve ever seen in my life see it every day have never been tired of it

[@newwavepop]

it sort of looks like masterfully done stained glass window. the color mixture is just stunning.

[@jasmin0930]

I love Van Gogh and though it’s hard to pick a favorite I have to say Irises is probably one of my top three paintings of his. Thank you for the wonderful discussion of such a beautiful work. I hope to someday see it in person 🙏🏼❤️🥰

[@bobdinitto]

I love this painting. It's one of two framed Van Gogh prints I've had for years and years. The other is Vegetable Gardens, 1888.

[@jeenamas]

I love Van Gogh .. This documentary is very insightful and informative .Thank you.

[@deloresoreilly5533]

Thanks, very informative.

[@rezt1630]

If your gonna be admitted to an asylum, Provance is not bad asylum to be!

[@carvajal_isabella_sophia_s5899]

You’re awesome 👏🏽 on this marvellous subject.

[@implespaynter]

👏🏽 very informative

[@coffeecake8835]

Dr. Allan. I have been fortunate enough to visit both the Getty Villa and Center. They were absolutely breathtaking. Truly highlights of my life.

[@Joshruizart]

I doubt anybody has studied his work as deeply as I have and it's a real mystery. When he puts a brush stroke of sky blue over a white stroke of the cloud, it gives that cloud a feeling as if it's farther away at it's tail end. And there are no real mixing problems when the stroke is made as if the brush strokes dried after he made them, yet they were all wet and done within a few hours. Which doesn't make sense as well because it would take a few hours for most great artists to even mix the insane amount of complex colors, and it would take weeks for them to develop the structures he applied. It makes no sense. You would have to see him do this live and it would be a sight to see. He must have been moving like a mad man, but with the most precise delicate touches, a bold Japonist touch of nature

[@judeirwin2222]

As deeply, not as deep. Farther, not further, since actual distance is involved. Makes sense, not since

[@Joshruizart]

@@judeirwin2222 Awesome. I must have read his 2,000 letters several times, and I still don't know how to write

[@judeirwin2222]

@@Joshruizart Well, Josh, reading is not the same as writing, you know, and speaking correctly is another thing altogether. The important aspect of all education is that it is never done. We should all be learning new things every day until we die.

[@johnmartlew5897]

What makes great art? The longer two or three people with a high degree of visual insight can talk about it and they more they can discover in it the greater the art. Imho.

[@maryoop7920]

very good video :)

[@yaa63]

So beautiful and so complex

[@honeysucklecat]

This painting was in a small gallery at the back of a nursing college in Portland, Maine when I was in high school. Used to visit it

[@gusguerra7031]

this painting sold for 54 million in the 80s, at that time it was the most expensive painting.

[@honeysucklecat]

@@gusguerra7031 I know, I remember it well, as it was local news. The owner was a playboy rich kid who got all his money from mommy. He needed cash to party. The auction house helped him out by loaning the buyer most of the money to buy it at that over inflated price. It’s a tragedy. Where it is now is a better spot though. They used to have it behind a plastic case at the Getty, back when it was still the record setting painting.

[@pattithompson1395]

This is a great discussion. However, it amazes me that a museum would hang a painting by van Gogh on a red wall. My perspective is that it would be better to not compete with the colours of the painting, but instead the walls would be a soft light colour like light gallery grey. I imagine it is a trend and may relate to the colours of intereior walls in the 1880's where it might have hung.

[@smarthistory-art-history]

It is no longer against a red wall.

[@a-complished4406]

Fantastic insight on this particular painting that we can transpond to so many others. Thanks !

[@paulcornell3155]

Excellently done. Anyone interested in the making of the Irises would have more then enough to chew on.😊

[@DIGITAL7Media]

I go to the Getty often. There’s many paintings that just stick out to me. Thank you for sharing the story behind this one.

[@juliannazilahy5592]

these videos are great. van goghs placement of that single white flower within the artwork is particularly intriguing to me.

[@Sasha0927]

Dr. Zucker: "...one of the most recognized canvases by Vincent Van Gogh." Me: -never seen it- I've had some pretty epic arguments in my day, but never have I loathed the other person's voice so much that I'd cut my own ear off. Theirs, maybe, but not mine. 😅 I loved "Corridor in the Asylum" and "Great Piece of Turf" - especially the latter. I've seen myself stop short to appreciate great pieces of turf many times, so that rang true to me. The breakdown of the different styles (and how they didn't apply to this piece) was really interesting. I didn't know about the association of still lives to death or how many influences / traditions went into Van Gogh's work. So much great information and beautiful art to appreciate in this video. 🙂

[@smarthistory-art-history]

The curator was a treat to work with and of course the painting is just fantastic. It was a lot of fun taking those photos, those blossoms are so photogenic.

[@Sasha0927]

🥰 I love that for you guys. I hope you get to work on many more enjoyable projects with great curators -like Dan-, that's awesome. Idk why it's not doing strikethrough, but ignore the Dan part, lol. 🙈@@smarthistory-art-history

[@michaeldeierhoi4096]

I have of a puzzle of the irises which doesn't begin to capture the vibrancy in these colors in the original painting. In fact the colors in the puzzle are down right bland which is rather disappointing but I'm still glad to have a puzzle of the irises at all.

[@kathleenhutter4412]

I love how this video brings out the learning of Van Gogh and his evolution as an artist to this point. I also love how you point out the fact that he grew as an artist in the sheltered environment of the asylum, and even in the possible bleakness, there were bright points for him that enabled him to do what he loved. Your evaluation and assessment of the actual painting was truly insightful and helped me understand what might have been running through Vincent van Gogh's mind as he painted them. Thank you. Really enlightening and gives me additional appreciation for one of my absolute favorite artists.

[@c_turtle]

Absolutely stunning!

[@AbidAlhaleemhafiz]

👍❤⚘🇮🇶

[@abdellahelazhari8127]

just a painting lmao. such a drama over nothing

[@smarthistory-art-history]

You are absolutely right. It is just a painting. And an iris is just a flower. And our eyes and our minds are also just common place things. A star in the night sky is just a point of light. Or one can step back and appreciate these very same things as miracles full of beauty, wonder, and potential. The choices one makes about what and how we perceive can make life far less or more meaningful.

[@abdellahelazhari8127]

@@smarthistory-art-history i can be right following my way of thinking, but i know i am wrong from an art percpective. I respect the art itself, but i think it's kinda overrated and people often see some things that the painter himself did not even consider x)