The painting featuring this spectacular poppy is not a traditional ‘still life’. Beyond the obvious pleasure taken in exploring natural beauty, Van Gogh uses this modest study to explore the powerful contrast between the different tones of red and green. The nuances in this work are testimony to the painter’s incredible craftmanship. The layers of paint are delicately sculpted; the details carefully drawn. The slight tremble of a twig is not due to an unsteady hand but chosen as the best way to represent that specific detail. The entire composition is structured with great mastery. At first glance missing some finishing touches, it seems that the painter stopped when he saw that this perfect balance of simplicity and complexity required no further embellishment.