Portrait of Joseph Roulin
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See it in a room
Story
A bearded man wearing a blue postal uniform and matching cap faces the viewer, set against a green background covered in a floral pattern of pink and white blossoms. His steady gaze and formal posture suggest the pride of his occupation, while the busy pattern behind him pushes forward, flattening the sense of depth. This oil painting was made in 1889 and is held at the Museum of Modern Art. It entered the collection through gifts and bequests from several donors, combined by exchange. The artist, Vincent van Gogh, painted with a loose, expressive style associated with Post-Impressionism. One detail worth noticing is how the dense tangle of flowers behind the sitter seems to vibrate against the stillness of his face and uniform, creating tension between the man and his surroundings.
Where it works
Suited to living rooms and dining rooms, and to hotel guest rooms, in a vertical format.
The Museum of Modern Art, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. William A. M. Burden, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Rosenberg, Nelson A. Rockefeller, Mr. and Mrs. Armand P. Bartos, The Sidney and Harriet Janis Collection, Mr. and Mrs. Werner E. Josten, and Loula D. Lasker Bequest (all by exchange), 196.1989