Coleus Plant in a Flowerpot, 1886 Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890)

In this painting, a single, vibrant coleus plant in a terracotta pot takes center stage. The plant is tall and slender, with its leaves displaying a striking mix of deep reds, earthy browns, and splashes of yellow and green. The foliage is rendered with a lively, Impressionistic brushwork, emphasizing the plants textured surface and the way light plays upon it.
The background is a wash of deep blues, with darker, vertical brushstrokes creating a sense of depth and suggesting a wall or a draped fabric. To the left, a shadowy, indistinct form hints at an object or perhaps a window, casting a faint shadow that further grounds the potted plant in its space. The surface the pot rests on is a simple, flat plane, painted in muted browns and grays, providing a contrasting stability to the lively plant and the atmospheric background.
The subtexts of this painting can be interpreted in several ways. The humble subject of a common houseplant elevated to the focus of an artwork speaks to finding beauty in the everyday. The verticality and upward growth of the plant could symbolize aspiration, resilience, or the simple, persistent force of life. The contrasting colors of the coleus leaves – the warm reds and earthy tones against the cool blues of the background – create a visual tension that might reflect inner turmoil or a passionate spirit contained within a calm exterior. The evident brushwork, characteristic of Impressionism, suggests a focus on capturing a fleeting moment and the subjective experience of the artist, inviting the viewer to engage with the subject not just as an object, but as a feeling or an energy.