Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Vincent van Gogh once wrote, “What I’m most passionate about…is the portrait, the modern portrait.” This passion flourished between 1888 and ’89 when, during his stay in Arles, the artist created a number of portraits of a neighboring family—the postman Joseph Roulin, his wife, Augustine, and their three children. Van Gogh’s tender relationship with the postman and his family, and his groundbreaking portrayals of them, are at the heart of “Van Gogh: The Roulin Family Portraits,” which is the first exhibition dedicated to the Roulin portraits and the deep bonds of friendship between the artist and this family.
Hear Lydia Vagts, paintings conservator, and Richard Newman, head of Scientific Research, discuss new details they uncovered about Van Gogh’s process and techniques, and explore two of the MFA’s most popular works in a new light.
MFA Member Lectures: For a look at upcoming member events, check out: mfa.org/membership/member-events
Become an MFA member and help support the art and culture you believe in: mfa.org/membership
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Vincent van Gogh once wrote, “What I’m most passionate about…is the portrait, the modern portrait.” This passion flourished between 1888 and ’89 when, during his stay in Arles, the artist created a number of portraits of a neighboring family—the postman Joseph Roulin, his wife, Augustine, and their three children. Van Gogh’s tender relationship with the postman and his family, and his groundbreaking portrayals of them, are at the heart of “Van Gogh: The Roulin Family Portraits,” which is the first exhibition dedicated to the Roulin portraits and the deep bonds of friendship between the artist and this family.
Hear Lydia Vagts, paintings conservator, and Richard Newman, head of Scientific Research, discuss new details they uncovered about Van Gogh’s process and techniques, and explore two of the MFA’s most popular works in a new light.
MFA Member Lectures: For a look at upcoming member events, check out: mfa.org/membership/member-events
Become an MFA member and help support the art and culture you believe in: mfa.org/membership
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
