The Postman

Vincent van Gogh wrote “I should like to do portraits which will appear as revelations to people in a hundred years’ time." in a letter to his sister in 1890. a portrait of van Gogh's close friend Joseph-Étienne Roulin, a postal employee at the train station in the southern French town of Arles. At first glance this oil on canvas portrait shows an explosion of blue and green pigments, then Roulin is portrayed in a frozen moment in time, encouraging the viewer to notice the steadfast composition of Roulin, his impressive beard and moustache and the sumptuous floral motif wallpaper behind him, topped off by Roulin's postman’s cap. one of van Gogh’s most iconic portraits, executed with purposeful defined brushstrokes for Roulin's coat, beard and face a vast contrast to the green floral background which is delicate and serene, creating a depth of field for the viewer and encouraging Roulin's distinct presence standing proud in a myriad of texture and colour.