Blossoming Almond Tree

Artist: Vincent Van Gogh
Title: Blossoming Almond Tree
Media: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 73.5 cm × 92 cm (28.9 in × 36 in)
Date: 1890

This gorgeous painting is by Vincent Van Gogh. It has been relocated to the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam. Van Gogh was born March 30, 1853 and died July 29, 1890 at the very young age of 37 by a self inflicted gun shot wound after suffering many years of mental health issues. He was known as an impressionist painter and his work has influenced the 20th century greatly. This painting has a Japanese influence and was painted with a particular person in mind. This person was his brother and sister-in-law's newborn baby who they named Vincent. Vincent Van Gogh himself was so flattered that they named their child after him he painted this piece in honor of him. Van Gogh was to be very fond of this child. In 1888 Vincent wrote to Theo "About this staying on in the South, even if it is more expensive, consider: we like Japanese painting, we have felt its influence, all the impressionists have that in common; then why not go to Japan, that is to say to the equivalent of Japan, the South?" This piece connects my theme of the seasons because it is a blossoming Almond Tree. A great deal of the seasons changing from winter to spring is all the blossoming of the flowers, trees, and nature in general. When things bloom it tells me that the season has changed. I love seeing things blossom and this is the perfect painting for a seasonal transition between winter and spring. Also, I love Van Gogh's work and I have always been drawn to this beautiful piece.