image courtesy the New York Botanical Garden
.
All content included on this site such as text, graphics and images is protected by U.S and international copyright law.
The compilation of all content on this site is the exclusive property of the site copyright holder.
Van Gogh's Flowers at the New York Botanical Garden
Part two: Bearded Iris
Media preview on Tuesday, 20 May 2025,
Opening to the public on 24 May 2025
I'm off! Today I will be at the New York Botanical Garden for the media preview of Van Gogh's Flowers. Perfect weather. Crummy traffic. Well worth the drive. installations in the conservatory and out on the grounds . . . so much to see.
image courtesy the New York Botanical Garden
Bearded iris, Iris ×germanica, is a familiar garden flower, named for
the fuzzy strip on the falls, or lower petals. Iris is goddess of the rainbow
and her flower comes in many colors, yet van Gogh's focus was on the blue ones. Maybe.
His well know Vase with Irises Against a Yellow Background was painted in 1889. Interestingly, the Van Gogh Museum mentions that "The irises were originally purple. But as the red pigment has faded, they have turned blue."
Amie Jacobsen’s three-dimensional sculptures inspired by Van Gogh’s expressive masterpieces.
Each metal iris petal individually cut, each welded in place, then each individually painted.
Irises on Yellow Columns created by Lee Baker and Catherine Borowski of Graphic Rewilding
that clearly attracted attention, with everyone carefully avoiding stepping on the vinyl floor graphics.
And one woman prepared for the event, wearing a Starry Night shawl she found on Amazon.
There is informational signage that provides details of who did what, and how they were inspired.
And just so you know, planning for an event such as this takes time, many years actually, to create such a splendid event.
If you enjoyed this entry, perhaps you'll also enjoy Part One: van Gogh's sunflowers
Part Three: Color and Combination, and Part Four, Miscellany
And then, having attracted your attention, I hope you decide to come see and enjoy it for yourself.
The upcoming exhibition for Van Gogh’s Flowers will run from May 24 through October 26, 2025. Visitors will revel in the beauty of the natural world that inspired Vincent van Gogh, one of the world’s most revered artists. You’ve seen the paintings, now see them come to life at the Garden. NYBG will present botanical displays along with contemporary art by Lee Baker and Catherine Borowski of Graphic Rewilding, sculptor Amie Jacobsen, and immersive artist Cyril Lancelin, including a field of real and sculptural sunflowers in which visitors can wander through a sea of yellow blooms. Complementary daytime programming on select dates during Van Gogh’s Flowers will offer engaging, interactive experiences, such as “Plein Air Drop-In and Paint,” that spark NYBG visitors’ creativity, offer respite from City life, and inspire them to see nature as Van Gogh did.
Tickets may be purchased at ticketingsupport@nybg.org or telephone 718.817.8716, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
An All-Garden Pass provides daytime entry to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, NYBG's outdoor gardens and collections, and public programs on the day of your visit.
If you have any comments or questions, you can e-mail me: jgglatt@gmail.com
Back to May
Back to the main Diary Page