🧑‍🎨 Portrait of Armand Roulin at the age of 17 – Vincent van Gogh (1888)

🧑🎨 Portrait of Armand Roulin at the age of 17 – Vincent van Gogh (1888)

A silent youth under Van Gogh's vibrant gaze

In this frontal portrait, Van Gogh captures the quiet strength of a teenager, Armand Roulin, frozen in a moment of introspection. His bright yellow coat, dark hat, and direct gaze stand out against a plain turquoise background, creating a magnetic presence, both simple and powerful. It is a face without artifice, brought to life by the sincerity of the pictorial gesture.

Historical context of the work

Painted in Arles in 1888, this painting belongs to a series of portraits made by Van Gogh of the Roulin family, his faithful friends and supporters. Armand, the son of Joseph Roulin, the town's postman, is here depicted in all his raw and restrained youth. Van Gogh, fascinated by ordinary people, sought to reveal the inner world behind each face, moving away from stiff academic portraits.

Visual analysis: chromatic contrast and psychological intensity

The solid turquoise background strongly contrasts with the warm yellow of the coat and the deep blue of the hat, creating a dynamic and balanced composition. The brushwork is controlled, smoother than in Van Gogh's landscapes, but it retains his ability to convey emotion through color and structure. The facial features are drawn with sensitivity: slightly rosy, slightly tired, deeply human.

Symbolic and emotional reading

This portrait is a silent study of youth, of its doubts, of its emerging seriousness. Armand Roulin is not idealized: he is real, composed, attentive. Van Gogh presents him as a fully-fledged individual, with his character, his gaze, his mystery. It is a work that touches by its genuine respect for the human being.

🎨 Hand-painted reproduction – Alpha Reproduction signature

Our reproductions of the "Portrait of Armand Roulin at the age of 17" are made with meticulous care:

• Oil on canvas, as in the original

• Hand painted, with chromatic and expressive fidelity

• Certificate of authenticity provided, signed

• Customizable formats, according to your interior

• Frames of your choice, classic or modern

Every detail is reproduced with precision to restore the aura and the truth of the original portrait.

🏡 Decoration idea: strength and sobriety in your interior

This painting is ideal for a personal library, an elegant living room, a wall portrait gallery, or a refined office. It is intended for those who appreciate deep, human works without superfluous ornamentation.

✨ Order your exclusive reproduction

Bring to life one of Van Gogh's most touching portraits. With Alpha Reproduction, each gaze transcends time, each emotion regains its accuracy, and each painting becomes a link between art and real life.

🔎 A vibrant portrait of humanity, hand-painted with passion.