Vincent van Gogh Print, Postman Joseph Roulin (1888)

Postman Joseph Roulin by Vincent van Gogh

Postman Joseph Roulin, painted in Arles in 1888, is one of Vincent van Gogh’s most memorable portraits and the beginning of an extraordinary group of paintings devoted to the Roulin family.

Joseph Roulin was a postal worker whom Van Gogh befriended after moving to Arles. In this first painted portrait, Roulin sits confidently in his blue postal uniform, his large hands resting openly before him and his distinctive beard rendered through vigorous individual brushstrokes.

Van Gogh and Joseph Roulin

Roulin became an important friend during Van Gogh’s period in Arles. Their relationship also gave Van Gogh access to a family willing to sit for portraits at a time when finding models could be difficult.

He went on to paint Joseph repeatedly as well as his wife Augustine and their children Armand, Camille and Marcelle, creating an unusually extensive portrait record of a working family.

Blue Uniform and Expressive Colour

The deep blue postal uniform dominates the portrait, highlighted by gold buttons and decorative details. Roulin’s face and beard are warmer in colour, while the pale blue background prevents the strongly coloured figure from becoming visually heavy.

Van Gogh was increasingly interested in creating a modern form of portraiture in which colour could communicate character as strongly as conventional modelling or photographic resemblance.

Postman Joseph Roulin Prints for Interiors

This Van Gogh portrait makes an excellent choice for studies, living rooms, hallways and eclectic gallery walls. The strong blues work particularly well with navy, teal, cream, ochre, tan and natural timber.

Its combination of figurative art, historical character and saturated colour makes it a distinctive alternative to Van Gogh’s better-known landscapes and flower paintings.

About Vincent van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890) was a Dutch Post-Impressionist whose portraits were an important part of his artistic ambitions. Although now best known for landscapes and flowers, he repeatedly stated his desire to create expressive modern portraits that communicated the individuality of his sitters through colour and brushwork.

Vincent van Gogh’s Painting Style

Van Gogh’s mature portraits combine direct observation with simplified forms, visible brushstrokes and intensified colour. In the Roulin portrait, the vivid blue uniform, yellow details and textured beard transform an ordinary postal worker into a commanding and deeply individual presence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Joseph Roulin?

Joseph Roulin was a postal worker in Arles who became a close friend of Vincent van Gogh.

When did Van Gogh paint this portrait?

This version of Postman Joseph Roulin was painted in 1888.

How many portraits of Joseph Roulin did Van Gogh paint?

Van Gogh created six painted portraits of Joseph Roulin and also portrayed other members of the Roulin family.

Where is the original painting?

The original shown in this GalleryThane reproduction belongs to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

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