Roulin's Baby

Roulin's Baby is an oil on canvas painting created by Vincent van Gogh in 1888. Executed during the artist’s prolific period in Arles, France, this work belongs to a significant series of portraits documenting the family of Joseph Roulin, the postman who became one of Gogh’s most valued companions and models. This piece stands as a powerful example of the expressive styles that dominated the visual arts during the late 19th century, a period defined roughly by the years 1876 to 1900.

The canvas depicts the infant Marcelle Roulin, the youngest child in the family, rendered with characteristic Post-Impressionist intensity. Van Gogh utilized thick, visible impasto and dynamic brushwork, techniques that allowed him to convey emotional content rather than merely photographic likeness. Typical of the Dutch master’s approach at the time, the subject is set against a vibrant background of flat, non-naturalistic color, which emphasizes the subject’s form and innocence. The application of color theory and deliberate, directional strokes elevates the traditional portrait into a study of emotional and spiritual life.

The series of Roulin family portraits is highly significant in the history of art, marking a pivotal moment in Gogh's exploration of intimate subject matter and his distinctive handling of paint. This commitment to capturing the essence of the ordinary individual defined the artist's legacy.

Today, this piece is an important holding in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. As a celebrated example of the artist’s late style, the artwork is frequently referenced in art historical studies. High-quality prints of the work are widely accessible, as this masterwork, like many from the period, has entered the public domain, ensuring its continued influence and study across the globe. Roulin's Baby remains a poignant testament to the human connection that fueled Gogh’s artistry.