Art Works > Tribute to Vincent van Gogh series. Gleason.2012.

The title A Good Friend is in memory of the postman Roulin and his family who seemed to have made Vincents stay in Arles less lonely. The family sat for Vincent in many of his greatest portraits which are now world famous. Like Rembrant, van Gogh did not make class distinction in portraits,he would treat high and low in exactly the same way. In this small head study I have tried to catch the great curving energy in the postman's beard and his strength of character. He appears to have stood-by Vincent, when the public became more hostile in Arles, after the now legendary events surrounding Vincent. I personally value highly real friendship and decency.