Peach Trees in Blossom (Souvenir de Mauve) by Vincent van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh's Peach Trees in Blossom (Souvenir de Mauve) is an oil on canvas (28-3/4x23-1/2 inches) that is housed in the Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo, Netherlands.

By the end of March all the fruit trees -- plum, apricot, pear, apple, and cherry -- were either budded or in full bloom. Van Gogh worked rapidly with flickering strokes to capture the beautiful but fleeting effect. While painting pink peach trees he received news of the death of Anton Mauve. The older painter had urged van Gogh to use color freely, and Vincent dedicated this painting to his memory.

Vincent van Gogh long admired the paintings of Japanese artists. Continue to the next section to learn how van Gogh applied the principles of Japanese art to Langlois Bridge at Arles with Women Washing.

To learn more about art, famous artists, and art history, check out:

• How Art Works
• Impressionism
• Michelangelo
• Claude Monet