Van Gogh’s Sunflowers: a guide to their symbolism and hidden messages
Why artists continue to be drawn to sunflowersFew symbols in art carry the same emotional charge and visual intensity as the sunflower. Its bold structure, radiant color, and heliotropic nature have fascinated painters, poets, and philosophers for centuries. Among those most famously captivated was Vincent van Gogh, whose sunflower series remains among the most instantly recognizable works of modern art. But what is it about this vibrant plant that continues to inspire generations of creators?For Van Gogh, sunflowers were more than botanical subjects—they were an artistic signature. In a letter, he once asserted, “The sunflower is mine,” revealing his desire…