Madame Roulin and Her Baby. Vincent van Gogh NY Met van gogh madame roulin.JPG (source). Public domain — PD-Art.
Madame Roulin and Her Baby
Vincent van Gogh · 1888, November-December
- Catalog
- F491
- Date
- 1888, November-December
- Place painted
- Arles
- Museum
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Medium
- Oil on canvas
About the painting
This tender and intimate portrait captures Madame Augustine Roulin, wife of the postman Joseph Roulin, cradling her baby Marcelle. Painted in Arles, it's a testament to Van Gogh's deep affection for the Roulin family. Madame Roulin is depicted with a gentle, almost beatific expression, gazing at her child. The baby, swaddled in white, appears peaceful. Van Gogh employs a rich palette of blues, greens, and ochres, laid down with thick, visible brushstrokes. The vibrant background colors contribute to the scene's emotional warmth. A profound sense of maternal love and quiet domesticity is conveyed. Van Gogh’s sympathetic portrayal elevates this everyday moment into something deeply moving and universal, highlighting the timeless bond between mother and child.
Collection: The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Whether it is currently on view should be confirmed with the museum before visiting.
Research note: this entry is based on an evolving catalog. Dates, attribution, location and visitor information should be verified against the institution’s current records.