In early 1890 Van Gogh’s brother Theo had a son and named him Vincent. From the asylum in Saint-Rémy, Vincent painted this branch of almond blossom against a blue sky to hang above the baby’s bed. Almond trees are among the first to bloom in spring, a symbol of new life.

The flat sky and the bold outlines come from Japanese prints. The baby grew up to help create the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, where the painting now hangs.