The Postman (Joseph Roulin)
Digital display of a painting (Post-Impressionist oil portrait) • Vincent van Gogh [Digital display of original work]
Style & Movement
Post-Impressionism
Medium & Technique
Digital reproduction of oil on canvas using thick impasto and rhythmic brushwork
Creation Period
Original: 1888; Display: Modern digital era
Dimensions & Format
Landscape orientation as displayed on a television; original painting is portrait format [approx. 65 x 54 cm]
Subject Description
A portrait of Joseph Roulin, a postal worker in Arles, wearing a blue uniform and cap with 'POSTES' on it, set against a floral wallpaper background with sunflowers and stylized vines.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good (as a digital display); original painting in institutional care is excellent.
Estimated Market Value
$0 (NFS, digital reproduction); Original: Priceless [$150M+ value for tax/insurance]
Auction Estimate
Non-applicable for digital screencap; Original: Private treaty or high-tier auction territory.
Provenance History
The original 1888 version is in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. This is a digital rendering for home decor.
Art Historical Significance
One of several portraits of the Roulin family, representing Van Gogh's fascination with the modern face and the search for character over photographic likeness.
Notable Features
The subject's bushy beard and the vivid floral background are hallmarks of Van Gogh's Arles period; the digital crop changes the original vertical composition to horizontal.
Condition Issues
The image is being displayed on a screen with reflection and glare from external light sources; potential for screen burn or color shift.
Conservation Recommendations
Control ambient lighting to reduce glare on the screen; ensure the display uses a high-dynamic-range (HDR) profile for color accuracy.