À propos de l’œuvre
Portrait de Joseph Roulin, par Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh · Early August 1888 · Arles
The Postman Joseph Roulin, F432Reproduction of oil painting on canvas
Joseph Roulin poses in uniform for posts, sitting from the front, with open hands and a direct gaze in a portrait where the blue of the costume becomes almost monumental.
Look at the work
A friend from Arles represented with his profession and his presence
Employed in the station's postal service, Joseph-Étienne Roulin met Van Gogh shortly after his arrival in Arles. Here, his cap marked "POSTS", the gold buttons and embroidery of the sleeves describe his profession, while the wide framing also shows his massive body and the armchair.
The light blue background isolates the silhouette without narrative accessories. The darker jacket is constructed by large oblique folds; the beard receives brown, blonde, green and blue touches. The hands, deliberately very present, balance the face at the top of the composition.
Van Gogh transforms the administrative uniform into an image of personal dignity: Roulin appears as a worker, friend and protective figure.
Composition, touch and color
Three observations specific to this painting
This large F432 seated version requires special attention to both hands, uniform details and countless colors hidden under the beard.
The "POSTS" cap
The golden word immediately identifies Roulin's function. The dark visor frames the forehead and strengthens his gaze.
Two different hands
One rests on the armrest, the other opens onto the knee. Their calm movements give the pose unusual stability.
A multi-colored beard
Van Gogh does not model every hair: short brown, yellow, blue and green touches build the volume together.
Documented benchmarks
Precisely identify the original work
F432/JH1522, inventory 35.1982, is the first large seated portrait of Roulin, preserved in Boston.
Joseph-Etienne Roulin
Roulin worked at Arles station and helped Van Gogh during his crises, becoming one of his most loyal human bonds in the city.
Twenty-six portraits
Between 1888 and 1889, Van Gogh painted numerous images of Joseph, Augustine and their children Armand, Camille and Marcelle.
The chair found
The Van Gogh Museum preserves the willow armchair in which Roulin posed, recently presented alongside the painting during an exhibition dedicated to the family.
Your reproduction
What the painter must preserve
The painter must maintain the weight of the silhouette, the frankness of the gaze and the differences in blue between the background, the jacket and the pants.
- The word "POSTS" on the cap
- The six golden buttons of the jacket
- Yellow embroidery on the sleeves
- The multicolored touches of the beard
- Wide hands placed on two levels
Work sheet
| Title | The Postman Joseph Roulin, F432 |
|---|---|
| Artist | Vincent van Gogh (1853 -1890) |
| Date | Early August 1888 |
| Place of creation | Arles |
| Original technique | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 81.2 × 65.3 cm |
| Inventory | Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 35.1982 · F432 · JH1522 |
| Conservation | Museum of Fine Arts, Boston |
| Your reproduction | Handmade oil painting on canvas |
From order to shipping
In your interior
A blue portrait with a calm and immediate presence
The vertical format is suitable for a bookcase, office or living room. Frankish blues interact with brown leather, walnut and brass accents.
Frequently asked questions
Before ordering
Is this a canvas print?
No. Each reproduction is manually painted in oil on canvas. Brushstrokes and material variations belong to the final result.
How is the visual reference chosen?
The public domain reference image was reduced to 2284 × 3000 px and then converted to WebP, without artificial enlargement.
Can I check the result before shipping?
Yes. Photographs of the finished painting are sent to you; you can request alterations before validating the shipment.
Are custom formats possible?
Yes. The format can be adapted to your wall while maintaining the proportions and balance of the original composition.
