À propos de l’œuvre
Portrait du postier Joseph Roulin, par Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh · Early August 1888 · Arles
Portrait of the postman Joseph Roulin, F433Reproduction of oil painting on canvas
Joseph-Étienne Roulin, postman and friend of Van Gogh in Arles, appears in bust in his blue uniform. His cap marked "POSTS", his abundant beard and his clear gaze stand out against a turquoise background.
Look at the work
A friend from Arles in his uniform
The bust fills almost the entire canvas. Broad shoulders and golden buttons form a stable base, while the slightly inclined cap crowns the face.
The deep blue of the uniform contrasts with the sea green background. Orange, pink and green touches shape the face and beard without uniform local color.
Painted in Arles in early August 1888, this oil portrait on canvas measures 65 × 50.5 cm. It is F433/JH1524 and is numbered 1996.25 at the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Composition, touch and color
Three observations specific to this painting
Van Gogh focuses attention on physiognomy and uniform. The simplicity of the background makes the mixture of firmness, kindness and fatigue in Roulin's eyes more visible.
The cap identifies the profession
The word "POSTS" in yellow and the red banner make the function of the model immediately readable.
The beard becomes a field of color
Brown, green, blue and ocher mingle in long touches that give volume and movement.
The turquoise background brings the face closer
Its almost plain surface advances the warm tones of the cheeks and the dark blues of the uniform.
Documented benchmarks
Precisely identify the original work
The Detroit Institute of Arts notice documents one of six known portraits of Joseph Roulin painted between July 1888 and April 1889.
Joseph-Etienne Roulin
Born in 1841, the postman became a faithful friend of Van Gogh in Arles, who also painted his wife Augustine and their children.
A face compared to Socrates
Van Gogh describes to Theo Roulin's high forehead, red cheeks, small gray eyes and large salt-and-pepper beard.
Joined the DIA in 1996
The painting was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Walter Buhl Ford II and bears inventory number 1996.25.
Your reproduction
What the painter must preserve
The copy must preserve the clear look, the multiple colors of the beard, the inscription of the cap and the depth of the blue of the uniform.
- The "POSTS" cap
- The blue-gray look
- Colorful cheeks
- Salt and pepper beard
- The blue uniform and its gold buttons
Work sheet
| Title | Portrait of the postman Joseph Roulin, F433 |
|---|---|
| Artist | Vincent van Gogh (1853 -1890) |
| Date | Early August 1888 |
| Place of creation | Arles |
| Original technique | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 65 × 50.5 cm |
| Inventory | F433 · JH1524 · 1996.25 |
| Conservation | Detroit Institute of Arts |
| Your reproduction | Handmade oil painting on canvas |
From order to shipping
In your interior
An iconic portrait with deep blues
The vertical format brings a strong human presence to a library or office. Navy blue, turquoise, ocher and pink make up a balanced harmony.
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 institutional image measures 1,594 × 2,000 px; it was kept at its native definition and encoded in real 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.
