When Theo’s wife Jo gave birth to a baby boy on 31 January 1890, Van Gogh was still in the asylum at Saint-Rémy recovering from recent attacks. He was moved by the news of the birth of his nephew, who was named Vincent, and painted Almond Blossom to mark the occasion. The birth filled him with optimism, manifested through the delicate palette and pattern of blossoms against a clear blue sky. In a letter to his brother Theo, he wrote of the patience and care he devoted to the painting. There are hints of Japanese influence, suggesting that Vincent and Theo’s collection of more than 400 Japanese wood block prints may have been a source of inspiration for this work.
Almond Blossom is one of Van Gogh’s best known paintings, and was held in high regard by Van Gogh and his close family.