The Daily Norm’s Photo of the Week – Sunflower Spectacle

When you read this post I should be somewhere around Arles or Saint Remy-de-Provence, breathing in the fresh balmy air of the South of France, and following in the footsteps of one Vincent Van Gogh, who painted some of his most famous canvases in these parts. I therefore thought it appropriate that The Daily Norm’s photo of the week, published in my “absentia”, should be a suitably summery shot, and what better way to bring you the warmth and vitality of the rolling fields of Provence than to feature one of my photos of the unblemished glory of the intricately patterned head of a sunshine-yellow sunflower.

I actually took the photo last summer in Tuscany, rather than Provence. My partner, who had gone out ahead of me had found a field bursting full of “girasoli”, and was anxious that we should go along to see them before the flowers began to wilt under the roasting Tuscan sun. And so, on my first day out there we headed along to the field, surrounded by pine trees and the rousing chorus of cicada cries, and ran straight into the centre of this incredible field full of flowers. It was such a moment of epiphany to be surrounded by these wonders of nature, stretching for as far as the eye could see.

But of course the rolling landscapes of Provence are equally renowned for their sunflowers, and proved to be such an inspiration to Van Gogh when he lived in Arles that he painted what are perhaps now his most famous series of works as decoration for his home, now known as “the Yellow House”, in preparation for the visit of his artist companion, Paul Gauguin. And little wonder. The flowers, with their complex faces, delicate bright yellow petals, and strong fleshy green stalks turning the flowers towards the sun, are the very epitome of a glorious summer’s day.

I have no doubt that once returned from Provence, I will be inspired in equal measure. See you then.

All photos and written content are strictly the copyright of Nicholas de Lacy-Brown © 2013 and The Daily Norm. All rights are reserved. 

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