Joseph Roulin

Joseph Roulin

Models were not always easy for Van Gogh to come across.  His mercurial moods and his unusual art style often prevented him from finding people willing to pose for his work.  Yet in Arles, Van Gogh made close friends with people who were happy to sit for him – the Roulin family, a group of…

Why Did Vincent van Gogh Cut Off His Ear?

Vincent van Gogh was not a man known for his good mental health, not in his lifetime or now.  In fact, outside of his art, he is a man known for cutting off his own ear and delivering a piece of his ear to a girlfriend.  While this is true in essence, much of the…

Vincent van Gogh, the Art Dealer (Part 2, London and Paris)

Edge of a Wood, Drawing in Charcoal 1881

Upon his arrival to London in May, it immediately became obvious that Van Gogh’s concerns about being able to maintain himself abroad were unfounded. Goupil and Cie found him a boarding house, albeit an expensive one that cost him much of his wages. The raise he received upon entering the London branch helped. His 50…