La Berceuse (Woman Rocking a Cradle; Augustine-Alix Pellicot Roulin, 1851–1930)

Art Historical Context

**La Berceuse (Woman Rocking a Cradle)**, painted by Vincent van Gogh in 1889, captures a tender portrait of Augustine-Alix Pellicot Roulin, wife of the artist's friend Joseph Roulin, the postmaster of Arles. Created during Van Gogh's tumultuous period in the Saint-Rémy asylum, this oil on canvas exemplifies his Post-Impressionist style, with bold, swirling brushstrokes and vibrant colors that convey deep emotional resonance. The 36½ × 29-inch work draws the viewer into a intimate domestic scene, blending portraiture with symbolic elements like flowers, evoking comfort and quiet strength amid the artist's personal struggles. Van Gogh produced several versions of *La Berceuse*, highlighting his fascination with maternal figures as sources of solace. The thick impasto technique adds texture and vitality, transforming a simple act of rocking a cradle into a profound meditation on human connection. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art as part of The Walter H. and Leonore Annenberg Collection, this piece underscores Van Gogh's innovative approach to everyday subjects, influencing modern expressions of emotion in art. Visitors will appreciate its warm humanity, a beacon of stability in the artist's stormy life.

About the Artist

Vincent van Gogh · 1853–1890

Vincent Willem van Gogh (1853-1890) stands as one of the most influential figures in Western art history, despite a career spanning merely a decade. Born in Groot-Zundert, Netherlands, to a Protestant pastor's family, van Gogh's path to artistic greatness was anything but conventional. His early adulthood saw him working as an art dealer for Goupil & Cie, a language teacher, and a fervent missiona...