March 30–September 7, 2025

Van Gogh: The Roulin Family Portraits

Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890) 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, in the South of France, the artist created a number of portraits of a neighboring family—the postman Joseph Roulin; his wife, Augustine; and their three children: Armand, Camille, and Marcelle. Van Gogh’s tender relationship with the postman and his family, and his groundbreaking portrayals of them, are at the heart of this exhibition, which is the first dedicated to the Roulin portraits and the deep bonds of friendship between the artist and this family.

Visitors can see 23 works by Van Gogh, including the MFA’s iconic portraits Postman Joseph Roulin (1888) and Lullaby: Madame Augustine Roulin Rocking a Cradle (La Berceuse) (1889) as well as important loans from museums such as the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Museum of Modern Art in New York, Art Institute of Chicago, and Musée d’Orsay in Paris. Additionally, key works of earlier Dutch art and Japanese woodblock prints—both of which profoundly informed Van Gogh’s portrait practice—provide critical insight into elements of the artist’s creative process. Letters written by Postman Roulin bring to life the deep bond of friendship and a major turning point in Van Gogh’s life, as he moved to a new city and grappled with his mental health. He dreamed of creating a vibrant community of artists in Arles, which led to a visit by fellow painter Paul Gauguin, whose work is included in this exhibition.

Despite imagining himself as a husband and father, Van Gogh never married or had children. As he came to terms with this, he found comfort in his relationship with the Roulins; his portraits of them capture an intimacy that resonates across place and time in families of all kinds—biological, chosen, or observed. This exhibition gives visitors the most in-depth look yet at the emotional underpinnings of some of the beloved artist’s most widely recognized paintings.

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  • Ann and Graham Gund Gallery (Gallery LG31)

Van Gogh at the Intersection of Creativity and Mental Illness

Van Gogh  self-portrait, depicting artist with red beard and very short hair in front of blue-green background

During his lifetime, Van Gogh had evolving views about the alleged link between mental illness and creativity. Learn about how the artist perceived himself and his work in relationship to psychological strife.

Read More about Van Gogh's views on mental illness and creativity

Audio Tour on MFA Mobile

Van Gogh painting depicting a colorful and sparse bedroom with blue walls

Hear from curators, a conservator, and an artist to explore the historical context of the exhibition, dive into Van Gogh’s artistic influences, and more. The tour includes transcripts and audio descriptions of the featured artworks for visitors who are blind or have low vision. Access the tour from home or bring your ear buds or headphones for the full in-gallery experience.

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Featured Artwork

From Van Gogh, with Love

Grid of various postcards featuring Van Gogh paintings paired with text, such as "You've got mail" and "Special delivery"

Get inspired by the letters in “Van Gogh: The Roulin Family Portraits” and send a message to a friend or loved one.

Send a Card

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Sponsors

Bank of America

Generously supported by the Abrams Foundation, Penny Vinik, the Richard C. von Hess Foundation, and Barbara M. Eagle.

Additional support comes from Cathy Minehan, Barbara and Michael Schaefer, Emi M. and William G. Winterer, the Cordover Exhibition Fund, the MFA Associates / MFA Senior Associates Exhibition Endowment Fund, and the Ellen and Robert Jaffe Fund.

Organized in collaboration with the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam. 
Supported in part by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities.

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