Van Gogh painted Almond Blossoms to celebrate the birth of his nephew Vincent Willem van Gogh(1890-1978). It can be dated from the letters as begun between 1 February and 20 February, and completed before 29 April, when he delivered the painting to his brother Theo. This period coincided with a month-long collapse. In his own words, he was "struck down like a brute," unable to work or even to write letters.