Vincent van Gogh – La Berceuse (Woman Rocking a Cradle; Augustine-Alix Pellicot Roulin, 1851–1930) Metropolitan Museum: part 4
Metropolitan Museum: part 4 – Vincent van Gogh - La Berceuse (Woman Rocking a Cradle; Augustine-Alix Pellicot Roulin, 1851–1930)
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The painting "Lullaby" was painted by Van Gogh during a rather difficult time in his life. The painting was created in Arles. By the way, its creation had begun not long before the case, when due to the insanity of his mind he had simply cut off his own ear. This was some time before Gauguin’s departure. But the artist completed his creation after his return from the hospital. The work was not easy, many times Van Gogh rewrote it.
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A description of Vincent van Gogh’s painting "Lullaby
The painting "Lullaby" was painted by Van Gogh during a rather difficult time in his life. The painting was created in Arles. By the way, its creation had begun not long before the case, when due to the insanity of his mind he had simply cut off his own ear. This was some time before Gauguin’s departure. But the artist completed his creation after his return from the hospital. The work was not easy, many times Van Gogh rewrote it. And witnesses reported that the master, who had never sung anything before, while painting the canvas often sang long lullabies.
Model for the image in the picture was the wife of a local postal worker Augustine Rulen. At the time of her life, she was one of the few people with whom the artist was in close contact. Van Gogh sincerely believed that the family of this woman - exemplary, just an ideal of healthy family life of the most ordinary people. The master often painted Augustine, her spouse or young children on his canvases.
The painting is predominantly painted in green tones. It is both rich emerald and dark green shades. The gaze of the depicted woman seems pensive and tired, but at the same time concentrated. Snow-white flowers in the garden in the background add freshness to the work. The foreground of the canvas is distinguished by clear straight lines and even the folds of the woman’s skirt seem to be somehow "sharp". But behind her back you can see an ornament of elegantly twisted greenery in fresh, light shades of green.
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The woman’s face exhibits a somber expression; her gaze directed forward with an intensity that conveys both introspection and a certain melancholy. Her hair, a vibrant reddish-orange hue, contrasts sharply with the predominantly cool tones of her attire – a dark green dress and a matching jacket. The artist has employed thick impasto to build up the texture of her face and clothing, creating a palpable sense of physicality.
Behind the woman unfolds a stylized background. It is not a realistic depiction but rather an arrangement of floral motifs against a deep, almost black, ground. These flowers – primarily white with touches of pink and yellow – are rendered in a manner that suggests both abundance and a degree of unsettling artificiality. The repetition of these blooms creates a pattern that borders on claustrophobic, potentially symbolizing the cyclical nature of domestic life or perhaps hinting at an underlying sense of confinement.
The woman’s hands are prominently displayed; one holds what appears to be yarn, suggesting a craft activity – likely knitting or crocheting – that is traditionally associated with maternal care and nurturing. This detail introduces a subtextual layer relating to the role of women in society and their connection to domesticity. The placement of her hands, however, seems less about active creation and more about a moment of pause, as if the work has been momentarily abandoned.
The color palette is dominated by greens, yellows, oranges, and blacks, with the white flowers providing a visual counterpoint. This combination evokes a range of emotions, from tranquility to unease. The overall effect is one of psychological depth; the painting transcends a simple portrait to become an exploration of human emotion and the complexities of lived experience. Theres a sense of quiet dignity in the woman’s bearing, yet also a palpable undercurrent of sadness or resignation that invites deeper reflection on her circumstances.