Portrait of Joseph Roulin
1888 Detroit Institute of Arts
About this artwork
This is one of several portraits Van Gogh painted of Joseph Roulin, a postman who became a close friend of the artist during his time in Arles, France. Roulin's uniform features the word "POSTES" on his cap.
Did you know?
Vincent van Gogh found in Joseph Roulin not just a subject, but a dear friend and a source of comfort during a tumultuous period in Arles. Roulin's steadfast friendship and working-class dignity deeply resonated with Van Gogh, leading him to create a poignant series of portraits of Roulin and his family. These works capture not only Roulin's physical appearance but also a profound sense of human connection that Van Gogh desperately sought.
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Portrait of Joseph Roulin
Vincent van Gogh, 1888
