 | |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 | |
 | |
 | |
 | |
 | |
 | |
 | |
 | |
 | |
 | |
 | |
 | |
 | |
 | |
 | |
 | |
LinksYale Bulletin and CalendarMovie Times Add an event to the calendar. |
Weekend Excursion
Vincent van Gogh first painted Joseph Roulin in the summer of 1888, but the stern-faced, blue-coated postal worker seems more suited to steamy-breathed winter streets than the warm, blue skies of southern France. In fact, he seems to have found his element in the Museum of Modern Art's special van Gogh exhibition running until mid-May. "Van Gogh's Postman: The Portraits of Joseph Roulin" features five paintings and two drawings of the Arles mail-sorter, short-nosed and ruddy and always in his gold-trimmed uniform and cap.
|
The consistency of subject belies the evolution of van Gogh's portraits. The earlier works are naturalistic. Later, under the influence of the artists Honoré Daumier, Eugène Delacroix, and Paul Gauguin, van Gogh's portrayals of his friend become more intensely stylistic. Certainly van Gogh was also effected by his close relationship with Roulin, who supported him as he struggled with mental illness and intense loneliness. In a letter to his brother Theo, van Gogh wrote: "[Roulin is] a man who is neither embittered, nor sad, nor perfect, nor happy, nor always irreproachably just. But such a good soul and so wise and so full of feeling and trustful." His paintings convey as much. At the same time, the art speaks for itself with no background, no story, no knowledge of the friendship or van Gogh's depression and psychoses.
The exhibition was organized by Kirk Varnedoe, chief curator of painting and sculpture, and made possible by B.N.P. Paribas and an anonymous donor. It will run until Tues., May 15, which means students can be inspired by a dark and brilliant mind not only before midterms, but also once again prior to finals—and hey, if you fail, there's a certain possibility for immortality in the profession of mail-sorting, too. —Diana M. Aleman
The Museum of Modern Art is located at 11 West 53 St., between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, in New York City. It is open 10:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. daily, 10:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. Friday, and closed Wednesday. Admission is $10, $6.50 for students with ID, and free for members. Friday 4:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. is pay-what-you-wish. For more information, call the Museum at (212) 708-9400, or visit it on the Web at www.moma.org.
All materials © 2001 The Yale Herald, Inc., and its staff.
Got any questions, comments, or advice? Email the online editors at
online@yaleherald.com.
Like to join us?