Peach Tree in Bloom in memory of Mauve

Vincent van Gogh

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Keywords: PeachTreeBloommemoryMauve

Work Overview

Peach Tree in Bloom (in memory of Mauve)(Reminiscence of Mauve)
Vincent van Gogh
Date: 1888; Arles, Bouches-du-Rhône, France *
Style: Post-Impressionism
Genre: landscape
Media: oil, canvas
Dimensions: 59.5 x 73 cm
Location: Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo, Netherlands


Pink Peach Tree, Souvenir to Mauve
Van Gogh wrote of Pink Peach Tree in Blossom (Souvenir de Mauve) that he completed in March, "I have been working on a size 20 canvas in the open air in an orchard, lilac ploughland, a reed fence, two pink peach trees against a sky of glorious blue and white. Probably the best landscape I have done. I had just brought it home when I received from our sister a Dutch notice in memory of Anton Mauve, with his portrait (the portrait, very good), the text, poor and nothing in it a pretty water color. Something - I don't know what - took hold of me and brought a lump to my throat, and I wrote on my picture, 'Souvenir de Mauve'."[9] Van Gogh knew Anton Mauve during his stay in The Hague. Mauve had taken an interest in Van Gogh and encouraged him to work in color. Van Gogh asked that Pink Peach Tree be sent to Mauve's widow Jet. To his sister Wil, Van Gogh explained that he chose the particular painting because of the "delicate palette" to express his deep fondness. "It seemed to me that everything in memory of Mauve must be at once tender and very gay, and not a study in a graver key."