
Camille Pissarro's A Vase of Peonies is an oil painting created in 1875. The artist was primarily a landscape painter, but he also produced still lifes, with A Vase of Peonies being one of only 20 such works. The painting features a colour scheme of pinkish-red and white peonies with greenish-blue foliage, set against a backdrop of orange and blue wallpaper. The vase itself is predominantly blue with hints of orange. This beautiful still life is now exhibited in museums, including the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, where art enthusiasts can admire its unique composition and colour palette.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Painter | Camille Pissarro |
| Painting Title | A Vase of Peonies |
| Year | 1875 |
| Medium | Oil Painting |
| Genre | Still Life |
| Current Location | Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam |
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What You'll Learn

Camille Pissarro's 'A Vase of Peonies' was painted in 1875
Camille Pissarro's "A Vase of Peonies" was painted in 1875. This oil painting is a still life, a genre that Pissarro returned to infrequently, producing only 20 such works out of his total oeuvre of over 1500 paintings. The work depicts a vase of pinkish-red and white peonies, with greenish-blue foliage, set against a background of orange and blue wallpaper. The colours in the vase are inverted, with blue dominating and orange providing complementary touches.
Pissarro was primarily a landscape painter, and "A Vase of Peonies" is one of his few forays into still life. The painting may have been created in friendly rivalry with his pupil, Paul Cézanne, who was renowned for his still-life works.
"A Vase of Peonies" is a portrait-oriented painting, and Pissarro's original work can be ordered as a reproduction. The painting has been exhibited in various galleries, including the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, where it was donated in 2000.
The painting has inspired reproductions and prints, with some available for purchase online.
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It is one of only 20 still lifes by Pissarro
Camille Pissarro's "A Vase of Peonies" is an oil painting produced in 1875. It is one of only 20 still lifes by Pissarro, who was primarily a landscape painter. He produced over 1500 works during his career, which ended with his death on November 13, 1903.
"A Vase of Peonies" is a portrait-oriented painting that stands out for its use of colour. The pinkish-red and white hues of the flowers, along with the greenish-blue foliage, contrast with the shades of orange and blue in the background wallpaper. The vase, on the other hand, showcases vibrant blue with touches of orange.
The painting was likely a product of artistic rivalry with Pissarro's friend and pupil, Paul Cézanne, who was renowned for his numerous still lifes. After Pissarro's death, his widow, Julie Pissarro, gave the painting to Ludovic-Rodolphe Pissarro in 1921. It then passed through several owners before eventually being donated to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam in 2000, where it is currently housed.
Another one of Pissarro's still lifes is "Still Life with Peonies and Choisyas," a floral painting that was painted over five years from 1872 to 1877. This work is one of the few floral paintings by Pissarro that have been preserved.
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It is a portrait-oriented oil painting
Camille Pissarro's "A Vase of Peonies" is a portrait-oriented oil painting, completed in 1875. Pissarro was a prolific painter, creating over 1500 works in his lifetime, of which only 20 are still lifes. "A Vase of Peonies" is one of these rare still lifes, and it is a beautiful example of his work in this genre. The painting is a portrait-oriented work, with a vertical composition that emphasises the height of the vase and the flowers it contains. The peonies themselves are the focal point, with their pinkish-red and white hues standing out against the greenish-blue foliage and the orange and blue hues of the wallpaper and vase in the background.
Pissarro's use of colour in "A Vase of Peonies" is carefully orchestrated. The complementary colours in the foreground and background create a sense of contrast and vibrancy. The short brushstrokes that make up the painting also add texture and depth to the image, creating a rich and intricate visual experience. The painting is a stunning example of Pissarro's artistic skill and his ability to bring still life subjects to life on the canvas.
The painting is known by a few different names, including "Vase of Peonies and Mock Orange", reflecting the additional elements in the composition beyond the peonies themselves. The work was likely created in friendly rivalry with Paul Cézanne, a friend and pupil of Pissarro known for his still-life paintings. This context adds an interesting layer to the work, as Pissarro ventured into a genre outside his usual landscape focus.
The original "A Vase of Peonies" painting has been exhibited in various galleries and museums over the years, including the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, where it is currently held. It has also been reproduced and sold as a hand-painted oil painting, allowing art enthusiasts to own a copy of this beautiful work. Overall, "A Vase of Peonies" is a captivating portrait-oriented oil painting that showcases Pissarro's artistic talent, his eye for colour and texture, and his ability to bring still life subjects to the forefront.
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The painting features a colour scheme of pinkish-red, white, orange, blue and green
Camille Pissarro's painting 'A Vase of Peonies' features a vibrant and carefully orchestrated colour scheme. The flowers themselves are rendered in pinkish-red and white hues, with the peonies' lush petals creating a soft, romantic feel. The painting also includes mock orange flowers, which add a bright, cheerful note to the composition.
The foliage of the flowers is painted in a greenish-blue shade, providing a cool contrast to the warmer tones of the blooms. This colour also appears in the background, where it is offset by shades of orange and blue, creating a lively and dynamic effect. The blue is particularly prominent in the vase, where it is complemented by touches of orange, echoing the colours of the flowers themselves.
Pissarro's use of colour in this painting is striking and expressive, with each hue carefully chosen to create a harmonious yet vibrant composition. The pinkish-red and white of the flowers are complemented by the cooler tones of the foliage and vase, while the orange and blue shades in the background add depth and energy to the overall effect.
The painting's colour scheme is a testament to Pissarro's skill and attention to detail. Despite being known primarily as a landscape painter, Pissarro created a carefully balanced and visually appealing still life with 'A Vase of Peonies'. The artist's use of colour is particularly noteworthy, with each hue carefully selected to create a sense of harmony and contrast, drawing the viewer's eye into the composition.
Overall, the colour scheme of 'A Vase of Peonies' is a key element in the painting's beauty and impact. The soft, romantic hues of the flowers, set against the cooler, more vibrant tones of the foliage and vase, create a captivating and memorable work of art. This painting is a testament to Pissarro's talent and his ability to bring life and emotion to the canvas.
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The painting is currently housed in the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
Camille Pissarro's 'A Vase of Peonies' was painted in 1875. The painting is currently housed in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, which holds a collection of the artist's work. The Van Gogh Museum received the painting as a donation from the Sara Lee Corporation in 2000. The painting has had several owners since Pissarro's death in 1903, including the artist's widow, Julie Pissarro, and art collectors such as Sam Salz and Mr and Mrs Nathan Cummings.
The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam is dedicated to the works of Vincent van Gogh and other artists from the 19th century. The museum's collection includes paintings, drawings, and letters by van Gogh, as well as artworks by contemporaries like Pissarro. The museum aims to showcase the development of van Gogh's artistic style and provide insight into the broader artistic context of his time.
'A Vase of Peonies' is one of only 20 still lifes produced by Pissarro, who was primarily a landscape painter. The painting is a portrait-oriented work, carefully composed with a colour scheme that orchestrates the pinkish-red and white hues of the peonies and the greenish-blue foliage against an orange and blue background. The brushstrokes in the painting appear jumbled at first glance, but upon closer inspection, reveal a deliberate composition.
The Van Gogh Museum's acquisition of 'A Vase of Peonies' adds to its collection of Pissarro's works and provides visitors with the opportunity to view this particular still-life painting in person. The museum's location in Amsterdam, a city known for its rich artistic heritage, further enhances the accessibility and appeal of Pissarro's work to art enthusiasts and casual viewers alike.
The Van Gogh Museum's housing of 'A Vase of Peonies' is significant because it ensures the preservation and display of this artwork for future generations. The museum setting allows for the painting to be viewed within the context of Pissarro's other works and artistic influences, providing a deeper understanding of his artistic style and contributions to the world of art.
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Frequently asked questions
Camille Pissarro painted Vase of Peonies in 1875.
It is an oil painting.
Pissarro produced over 1500 works, only 20 of which are still lifes.
The painting is currently in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.
Some of Pissarro's other paintings include View Through a Window, Eragny (1888), Woman Sewing (1881), and Saint-Sever Quay at Rouen (1896).








































