Joseph Roulin (The Postmaster)

Joseph Roulin was a good friend of Vincent van Gogh's when the artist lived in the yellow house at Arles.  Van Gogh painted Joseph, and the members of his family, several times.  This portrait, of Joseph himself, is from 1888.

After Vincent quarreled with Gauguin (and cut off a piece of his left ear), Joseph watched after him and sent his observations (about his friend's condition) to van Gogh's brother, Theo. 

In his letter of 26 December 1888, Roulin reported distressing news:

"I have been to see your brother Vincent. I promised to tell you what I thought of him. I am sorry to tell you that I think he is lost. Not only is his mind affected, but also he is very weak and despondent. He recognized me but did not show any pleasure at seeing me and didn't ask about any member of my family nor anyone else that he knows.

"When I left him I told him that I would come back to see him; he replied that we would meet again in heaven, and from his manner I understand that he was saying a prayer. From what the porter told me, I think that they are taking the necessary steps to have him placed in a mental hospital."

Since 1955, this famous painting has been owned by the Kunstmuseum Winterthur (in Switzerland).

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