Lullaby: Madame Augustine Roulin Rocking a Cradle (La Berceuse). Vincent van Gogh. Van Gogh - La Berceuse (Augustine Roulin)3.jpeg (source). Public domain — PD-old / PD-US declaration.
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Lullaby: Madame Augustine Roulin Rocking a Cradle (La Berceuse)
Vincent van Gogh · 1889, February
- Catalog
- F508
- Date
- 1889, February
- Place painted
- Arles
- Museum
- Museum of Fine Arts Boston
- Medium
- Oil on canvas
About the painting
This is a deeply empathetic portrait from Van Gogh's Arles period, one of five versions he painted. It depicts Madame Roulin, the wife of his friend Joseph, seated with hands clasped, a rope leading to a cradle. Van Gogh intended this image as a source of comfort, a "lullaby" for those far from home. Her serene expression is set against a background of vibrant, swirling floral patterns, rendered with intense colors. This painting transcends a simple portrait, becoming a powerful symbol of maternal love, solace, and the enduring human connection Van Gogh so desperately sought.
Collection: Museum of Fine Arts Boston. 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.