The Exhibition, Van Gogh’s Flowers, at the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) in Bronx, New York, will delight and inspire the imagination for visitors of all ages. Vincent van Gogh was a prolific artist and during his short lifetime created more than 2,000 works of art. A few of his most notable paintings include The Starry Night (1889), Roses (1890), Oleanders (1885), Imperial Fritillaries in a Copper Vase (1886), and Sunflowers (1887). In celebration of his works, contemporary artists Graphic Rewilding (Catherine Borowski and Lee Baker), Amie J. Jacobsen, and Cyril Lancelin, created large-scale sculptures in homage to Van Gogh, located inside the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, on the lawn, and throughout the Garden. This stunning exhibition runs until October 26, 2025, and must be seen to be fully appreciated.
Jennifer Bernstei, CEO NY Botanical Gardens
We had the pleasure of attending a preview of Van Gogh’s Flowers on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, on a warm, gorgeous blue-sky day. After a soggy Spring, it was wonderful to be out enjoying nature on such a spectacular day. There were many highlights of our visit, beginning with French artist Cyril Lancelin’s (b. 1975) homage to Van Gogh with his creation Pyramid Sunflower, 2025, a whimsical and fanciful “garden” of large-scale sunflower sculptures created from EVA foam, plywood, steel, Nylon 3D printing, astroturf, cork, and urethane paint, positioned on the lawn in front of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory interspersed with natural sunflowers. One of the many interesting things we learned about sunflowers during our visit is that there are nearly 100 different species.
Artist Cyril Lancelin & Debra C. Argen at Pyramid Sunflower
Inside the Conservatory, Graphic Rewilding (British artists Lee Baker, b. 1969 and Catherine Borowaki, b. 1975) captured the essence of Van Gogh’s Irises painting (1889) with their large-scale sculptural work, Irises on Yellow Columns, 2025, rising out of the water as a magnificent focal point at the entrance of the Exhibition.
Graphic Rewilding Irises
Also wonderful was American artist Amie Jacobsen’s (b. 1975) sculptural recreations of Van Gogh’s famous floral paintings, including Roses, 1890, using mixed media – painted steel, Extira composite, and MDO plywood, to create her interpretation of his painting right down to the fallen leaves on the table, with Roses: Van Gogh Eren, 2025.
Artist Amie Jacobsen – Imperial Fritillaries: Van Gogh Eren
Van Gogh’s painting Irises, 1890, is also an important work, as with his painting, Roses, it was created in the last months before he died. Amie’s interpretation, Irises: Van Gogh Eren, 2025, using mixed media -painted steel, Extira composite, and MDO plywood, is nothing short of marvelous. The sculptural irises are so lifelike that one wants to, but of course, restrains oneself from softly stroking the beards of the flowers.
Vincent van Gogh was born on March 30, 1853, in Zundert, Netherlands, and died on November 29, 1890, at the age of 37 years, in Auvers-SUR-Oise, France. During his decade of working as an artist he created over 2,000 works of art from the age of 27 until the time of his death. While he died 135 years ago, he left a lasting legacy with his art that continues to excite and inspire new generations of artists with his unique style and vision.
Irises – Van Gogh Eren by Amie Jacobsen
For the Van Gogh’s Flowers Exhibition, part of the Conservatory was transformed into Van Gogh’s Garden at the Hospital at Arles, 1889, and the result is inspiring with its vibrancy of plant selection set against a background of lovely greenery.
Garden At The Hospital of Arie
Van Gogh had a close relationship with his brother Theo, and his sister, Willemien, and to connect, intrigue, and delight the imagination of the Garden’s visitors, there are quotes and excerpts from his letters to his brother and sister thoughtfully placed along the paths through the various gardens, and there are also references in the gardens placed next to the flowers that found a lasting legacy in his paintings.
A Sampling of Excerpts from Letters from Vincent van Gogh
“But by intensifying all the colors, one again achieves calm and harmony…” Vincent van Gogh
“How rich art is; if one can only remember what one has seen…” Vincent van Gogh
“What the coloration in a painting is – it’s surely the enthusiasm in life and so – it’s no small matter to seek and preserve it.” Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh, 1886
“But precisely for one’s health, as you say – it’s very necessary to work in the garden and see the flowers growing.”– Vincent van Gogh to Willemien van Gogh, 1888
“My dear sister, it is my belief that it is actually one’s duty to paint the rich and magnificent aspects of nature. We are in need to gaiety and happiness, of hope and love. The more ugly, old, vicious, ill, poor I get the more I want to take my revenge by producing a brilliant color, well arranged, resplendent.” Vincent van Gogh to Willemien van Gogh, 1888
“Sunshine, a light which, for want of a better word I can only call yellow-pale sulfur yellow, pale lemon gold…How beautiful yellow is!” Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh, 1888
“…One can speak poetry just by arranging colors well, just as one can say comforting things in music.” Vincent van Gogh to Willemien van Gogh, 1888
As it was such a lovely day, we took extra time to appreciate all that the NYBG had to offer beyond the Van Gogh’s Flowers Exhibition and explored its many gorgeous seasonal gardens where the vibrancy and intensity of the peonies, and the heady aromas of the fragrant roses captivated our senses. We paused along the way and took advantage of the many benches placed throughout the NYBG where visitors can stop and relax and take time to reflect and appreciate nature’s exquisite beauty or to be inspired to do some plein air painting or sketching to capture a lovely moment in time.
Peonies
In addition to the many daytime programs during the Van Gogh’s Flowers Exhibition, there is also an interesting evening program entitled, Starry Nights, which will enchant visitors with music, performers, and an illuminated drone show. To maximize your experience, you might like to visit the NYBG in the daytime and then return at another time in the season to experience Starry Nights on select Friday and Saturday nights until September 13, 2025.
Plein Air Artist, Sarah Yu
We spent four hours exploring the Exhibition and the many gardens bursting with blooms of the season, admiring the inspired sculptures, as well as enjoying a tram ride around the NYBG’s 250-acre property to see the various gardens in bloom to maximize our NYBG experience.
The Starry Night
The NYBG has two dining options, the Pine Tree Café (open 10:00 am until 6:00 pm) and the Hudson Garden Grill (open Tuesday – Friday from 11:30 am until 3:00pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 am until 6:00 pm), so that you can relax, grab a bite to eat, or have something to drink, and enjoy a longer stay in the Garden. There is also an excellent gift shop.
Van Gogh’s Flowers Exhibition runs from May 24, 2025, until October 26, 2025, however the NYBG always has something wonderful happening in all seasons, including their Winter Holiday Train Show and their Spring Orchid Show, as well as many other programs and classes, so be sure to visit their website for more information and dates.
Edward F. Nesta – Pyramid Sunflower
Until next time, we hope that you will take time to enjoy the beauty of the NYBG and keep enjoying travel with Luxury Experience!
About Van Gogh’s Flowers:
“NYBG becomes the canvas for the colorful brush strokes of one of the world’s most revered artists during Van Gogh’s Flowers, where you’ll revel in the beauty of the flowers that inspired his iconic paintings—by day, and by night. Find yourself immersed in botanical displays and large-scale art as you wander through a breathtaking lawn of monumental sunflowers, and see the expressive masterpieces bloom in recreations made of living flowers. As the sun sets, join us on select evenings for Starry Nights, featuring a dazzling drone show—the first of its kind at a cultural institution in NYC—along with live bistro music, performance art, and cocktails and light bites for purchase.”
Bee on Tower of Jewels
The Contemporary Artists in van Gogh’s Flowers:
Graphic Rewilding (Catherine Borowski and Lee Baker), Instagram: @graphic_rewilding
Amie Jacobsen, Instagram: @amiej_art
Cyril Lancelin, from Lyon, France, Instagram: @town.and.concrete
About the NYBG
The New York Botanical Garden is a 250-acre oasis located in Bronx, New York. Founded in 1891, the garden attracts year-round visitors with its exquisite beauty, spectacular exhibitions, and interesting programs. It is a National Historic Landmark located in Bronx, New York where its nearby neighbors include Fordham University and the Bronx Zoo. Do allow a minimum of 3 hours to thoroughly experience the New York Botanical Garden and its many programs.
Bee on the Allium
Other special exhibitions and events, such as Members-Only Previews, may cause early closing of Garden areas. Exceptions are also made for evening events, which may take place after normal Garden hours. For specific hours on the day of your visit, please see their calendar on the website: www.nybg.org/plan_your_visit/
The Garden, its buildings, and its tour vehicles are accessible to people with disabilities, except for a few areas where the terrain is naturally uneven. Wheelchairs are available free of charge at both Garden entrances, on a first-come, first-serve basis (reservations are not accepted). An ID must be left with Visitor Services. Visit the website for additional information: www.nybg.org/visit/accessibility.php
Paint Me a Picture – Edward F. Nesta
Please visit the website for additional information on the NYBG, Van Gogh’s Flowers, upcoming programs and events, and admission: www.nybg.org
NYBG Hours: The Garden is open from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm. Tuesday through Sunday and select Monday holidays.
Admission: Van Gogh’s Flowers: May 24 – October 26, 2025: Adult: $35 Senior (65+): $31, Student (with valid ID): $31, Child (2-12) $15 Child Under 2: Free. Patrons/Members: Free. All ages welcome.
Conservatory Lily Garden
Admission: Starry Nights 2025: Select Friday and Saturday nights, May 23 through September 13, 2025. Time: 7:00 pm until 10:00 pm: Members: $39, Non-Members: $49, Free entrance for children under the age of 2.
New York Botanical Garden
2900 Southern Boulevard
Bronx, New York 10458
United States
Telephone: +1-718-817-8700
Website: www.nybg.org
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/NYBotanicalGarden
Twitter: @nybg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nybg/ @orchidNYBG @nybg
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