Beneath a starry night: Celebrating Van Gogh's 162nd birthday

[Photo/Xinhua]

Still Life: Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers

In Apr,1888, 35-year-old Van Gogh left for Arles to relax and find inspiration for his paintings. He longed for sunshine, wheat and sunflowers in the picturesque small town. He produced a number of sunflower-related paintings during the period. Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers, now in the British National Gallery, is widely acknowledged to be a masterpiece of this period.

Van Gogh uses expressive lines and color in the painting. Also, the thick brush makes the picture look like a sculpture. Van Gogh's sunflowers twinkle like burning flames, showing a sense of enthusiasm and primitive impulse. They represent the spirits of his life. He once said: "Life for me is a difficult voyage, but how would I know if the tide rose, even higher and submerged my lips? But I will fight, I will live with value, I will work to overcome, and live on."