“The Vase of Nasturtiums” is a piece of fine art originating from the creative hands of the renowned artist Paul Gauguin in the year 1886 in France. The artwork, crafted with oil on canvas, resides within the prestigious collections of the National Gallery of Canada situated in Ottawa, Canada. As an exemplar of the Post-Impressionism art movement, the piece falls into the still life genre, whereby Gauguin has uniquely depicted his subject matter.
The artwork features a vibrant and textured still life composition. Central to the piece is a vase filled with nasturtiums, whose blossoms present a rich array of warm colors — from the fiery orange to the delicate pinks and purples — contrasting vividly against the softer, neutral background. The leaves of the plants are depicted with broad strokes of green, enlivening the canvas and adding to the lush, organic feel of the work.
Gauguin has applied the paint in a manner that is both spontaneous and deliberate, avoiding meticulous detailing in favor of a more expressive representation. In accordance with Post-Impressionist style, the focus is not on precise realism but on conveying a sense of emotional depth and dynamic movement through color and form. The painterly technique in which brushstrokes remain visible lends the artwork an energetic and almost tactile quality, inviting viewers to experience the lushness of the nasturtiums.
This artwork is a testament to Gauguin’s ability to transcend naturalistic depiction and venture into the emotive potential of color and composition, heralding the innovative directions that art would take following the Impressionist period.
