Who Was Van Gogh?
Vincent Van Gogh was a famous artist from the Netherlands. He painted many beautiful pictures, but his life was very difficult. He often felt lonely and sad.
A Special Friendship
In 1888, Van Gogh moved to a town called Arles in the south of France. There, he met a man named Joseph Roulin. Roulin was a postman. He was kind and friendly. Van Gogh and Roulin became very close friends.
Roulin helped Van Gogh when he was sick. One day, Van Gogh cut his ear and needed medical help. Roulin visited him in the hospital and took care of him. He also wrote letters to Van Gogh’s brother, Theo, to tell him about Van Gogh’s health.
Roulin in Van Gogh’s Paintings
Van Gogh painted many pictures of Roulin and his family. Between 1888 and 1889, he painted six portraits of Roulin. In these paintings, Roulin wears a blue postman’s uniform. His face is red, and he looks kind and strong. Van Gogh liked painting him because Roulin had a “strong heart” and “kind eyes.”
More Than Just a Model
Roulin was not just a model for Van Gogh’s paintings. He was a true friend. When people in Arles called Van Gogh “the redheaded madman,” Roulin stayed by his side. Van Gogh once wrote to his brother Theo, “Roulin is a good man, full of wisdom and kindness.”
A Final Goodbye
Van Gogh lived for 19 more months after cutting his ear. During this time, he painted over 70 paintings in just 70 days. Roulin continued to support him. Even when Roulin had to leave for work in another city, he wrote letters to Van Gogh, reminding him to stay strong.
Today, Van Gogh’s paintings of Roulin are famous. Their friendship is a beautiful story about kindness, loyalty, and art.
Source: bbc.com
Vocabulary for the Article
Artist – A person who makes paintings, drawings, or sculptures.
Example: Vincent Van Gogh was a great artist who painted many pictures.
Famous – Known by many people.
Example: Van Gogh is a famous painter from the Netherlands.
Difficult – Hard to do or experience.
Example: Van Gogh had a difficult life because he was often lonely.
Lonely – Feeling sad because you have no friends or family near you.
Example: Van Gogh felt lonely when people in Arles did not accept him.
Friendship – A good and kind relationship between two people.
Example: Van Gogh and Roulin had a strong friendship that helped them both.
Moved – To go from one place to another.
Example: Van Gogh moved to Arles in 1888 to find new inspiration.
Postman – A person who delivers letters and packages.
Example: Joseph Roulin was a postman in Arles.
Kind – Being nice and helping others.
Example: Roulin was a kind man who helped Van Gogh.
Sick – Not feeling well or having a disease.
Example: Van Gogh was often sick and needed medical care.
Hospital – A place where sick people go to get better.
Example: Roulin took Van Gogh to a hospital after he cut his ear.
Portrait – A painting or picture of a person.
Example: Van Gogh painted six portraits of Roulin.
Strong – Having a lot of power, physically or emotionally.
Example: Roulin had a strong heart and always supported Van Gogh.
Model – A person who sits for an artist to be painted.
Example: Roulin was not just a model; he was also Van Gogh’s friend.
True – Real, not false.
Example: Roulin was a true friend to Van Gogh.
Support – To help someone.
Example: Roulin gave support to Van Gogh when he was in trouble.
Painter – A person who makes paintings.
Example: Van Gogh was a great painter of his time.
Write – To put words on paper.
Example: Van Gogh liked to write letters to his brother Theo.
Remember – To keep something in your mind.
Example: We remember Van Gogh today because of his beautiful paintings.
Story – A description of real or imaginary events.
Example: This is a story about Van Gogh and his best friend, Roulin.
Letter – A written message sent to someone.
Example: Van Gogh sent many letters to his brother Theo.