"One of nature's most commanding blooms, the sunflower has an enduring power and beauty that have been captured most famously by Vincent van Gogh. Indeed, for many the sunflower has become synonymous with van Gogh's art, but, as this delightful book so amply demonstrates, the flower's significance can be traced from pre-Columbian times to the present day.". "The book's numerous full-color illustrations celebrate the image of the sunflower from its first appearance in sixteenth-century European botanical texts to twentieth-century representations. Brief essays and reproductions survey the multiple meanings of this species for science, religion, literature, and art, culminating in its importance for the British Aesthetic movement and for art in late-nineteenth century France. The flower's representation creates a context for van Gogh's work, and the penultimate section of the book develops the image of the sunflower as a lasting emblem of the artist. The final chapter surveys the relevance of the flower for artists into the late twentieth century."--BOOK JACKET.