Sasha Pivovarova, wearing an Antique-lace dress with veil priced at £37,445.00 from Alexander McQueen Autumn/Winter 2006, Photographed by Tim Walker for Vogue UK January 2007
Van Gogh enjoyed the most productive era of his career during his time in Southern France, referring to Arles as “the Japan of the South” due to its abundance of sunlight and flowering trees. He first arrived in March 1888, as the fruit trees began to blossom, and immediately began painting at an almost unprecedented rate: “I am up to my ears in work for the trees are in blossom and I want to paint a Provençal orchard of astonishing gaiety.” This particular work, Van Gogh’s most famous painting of almond blossoms, was created for another special reason: the birth of his nephew, the son of his brother Theo. It’s one of the rare Van Gogh paintings in which you can see hope, joy, and serenity – which makes it all the more special.
