“I’m now working on the portrait of a postman with his dark blue uniform with yellow. A head something like that of Socrates, almost no nose, a high forehead, bald pate, small grey eyes, high coloured full cheeks, a big beard, pepper and salt, big ears.” Vincent van Gogh
READ FULL ESSAY: Christie’s
“While Roulin isn’t exactly old enough to be like a father to me,” Van Gogh described to Theo in April 1889, “all the same he has silent solemnities and tendernesses for me like an old soldier would have for a young one. Always—but without a word—a certain something that seems to mean: we don’t know what will happen to us tomorrow, but think of me in any event. And that does one good when it comes from 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 moved and so full of belief. Listen—I have no right to complain of anything to do with Arles when I think of certain people I’ve seen there and whom I’ll never be able to forget” (Letter 754, vol. 4, p. 423).
READ FULL ESSAY: Christie’s
See More
Vincent Van Gogh at Christie’s
More At Sunnyside
Thanks for Visiting 🙂
~Sunnyside
At Sunnyside - Where Truth and Beauty Meet 
Beautiful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for visiting, Luisa. 🙂❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And yet we don’t know what Socrates really looked like.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wonder which painting or mental imagery of Socrates might have brought the likeness to mind…
LikeLike
The subject’s quite different, but the colors are reminiscent of his yellow and blue sunflower paintings. In fact, it’s interesting that the postman’s surrounded by flowers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very interesting choice – I would love to learn more about this one. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Linda. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this! And Van Gogh’s art and writings. Always so brilliant and deeply felt.
This is something I’d do…my eyes just filled with gratitude and admiration. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
“…silent solemnities and tendernesses for me like an old soldier would have for a young one…” is such a poignant way to describe the relationship. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Jade. 😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
Remarkable.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I want to read all the letters….someday. 🙂
LikeLike
LOVE Van Gogh. One of my favorite artists ever!
LikeLiked by 1 person
If I had to choose, he would be my #1. 😎❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Aesthetic Realism—& Life, Love, Art and commented:
I care so much for this painting,! And what Van Gogh writes about the postman has me love him and the postman even more! Thank you, Sunnyside which is a wonderful blog I’ve been following a long time; it’s filled with riches. -NH
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure, NH! I appreciate the reblog. 😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
More than just a painting but a friendship that made a difference in Vincent’s life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes – I am amazed by the clarity and expressed in his letters. I am glad Vincent understood how special the friendship was. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Rosaliene. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on penwithlit and commented:
A wonderful painting and so full of feeling.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So vibrant and gorgeous! 😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
He was not afraid of color, was he!? Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Gia. 😎❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person