Joseph Roulin, Sitting in a Cane Chair, Three-Quarter-Length 1888

Vincent van Gogh made this ink drawing of Joseph Roulin, a postal worker, at an uncertain date. Van Gogh and Roulin met in Arles, France, and formed a deep, supportive friendship. The image, with Roulin in his uniform, captures something of the working-class dignity of a man who served his community. Van Gogh's choice to depict Roulin, not as a mere acquaintance but as a subject worthy of artistic attention, speaks volumes about his own values. Roulin was the subject for several paintings, which served to immortalize his image, defying the typical hierarchies of portraiture. Note the care with which Van Gogh renders Roulin's features, his beard, and the details of his uniform. He's not just a postal worker; he’s a man, a friend, rendered with respect.