3/5. The Sunflowers. Viewed as one of the most famous works of art in the world, few people know the history behind Vincent Van Gogh 's painting. Inspired by a bunch of flowers that the artist found lying in the gutter, Sunflowers became a personal favourite of the Dutch artist. A favourite so much that ten versions of the original were made, the first of which helped to form a fruitful yet ultimately fraught relationship with fellow artist Paul Gauguin. Revealing these stories and how Van Gogh 's passion for sunflowers followed him all the way to the grave, tonight's documentary also looks to explain the enduring popularity behind the piece. Producer Lucie Donahue ; Series editor Jeremy Bugler Painting Flowers explores 17thcentuiy Dutch tulip mania. Tuesday BBC4 at 10pm