DESIGNER'S NOTES

A bold golden yellow Fox & Chave chiffon silk scarf with elements from the most famous still-life work by Vincent van Gogh of Sunflowers (1887). This is after the version owned by the National Gallery in London.

Painted originally to decorate the Yellow house in Arles where van Gogh lived in anticipation of the arrival of his friend Gauguin, who came to stay with him. The sunflowers’ vibrant yellows reflected his fascination with the colour as a representation of warmth, light, and life. He used bold, impasto brushstrokes to capture the flowers’ textures and energy, creating dynamic compositions that conveyed both vitality and decay, a metaphor for the cycle of life.

Some controversy exists over a third iteration of the painting beyond the one in the van Gogh Museum, in Amsterdam and this one housed in The National Gallery. Speculation exists that this further example known as the Sompo Sunflowers after the Museum in Japan where it resides, may have been created by Emile Schuffenecker, a friend and early supporter of Van Gogh.

Known for his ability to mimic Van Gogh’s style, Schuffenecker was charged with restoring one of the other versions by Theo's widow Jo van Gogh-Bonger, meaning that for a time he had access to an authentic original for potential reference.

COLOURS

STYLING

There are many ways to style a Fox & Chave chiffon silk scarf including the basic drape, belted drape and reverse drape. Our chiffon silk scarfs look really good worn in the bandit knot or faux infinity style too. More scarf styling ideas are available in this wonderful How to Tie a Scarf book.