Bouquet of Flowers in a Vase, ca.
Vincent van Gogh

This still life is not mentioned in Van Gogh''''''''''''''''s letters and has puzzled scholars as to its place in his artistic production.
Ostensibly, it is closest to the bouquets of summer flowers that he produced in quantity in Paris (1886).
However, it was not until later, in Saint-Roy and Auvers (1889?0), when he painted few still lifes which were of an entirely different character, that Van Gogh''''''''''''''''s work evinced the same intensity, vigorous handling, and peculiarities of style.
This "Bouquet" seems to be a singular instance when Van Gogh applied the rigors of his mature landscape style to a still-life subject.
It is most certainly a late work and is possibly the Museum''''''''''''''''s first painting from his Auvers period (May July 1890).