“The Schoolboy (Camille Roulin),” an oil painting on canvas by Vincent van Gogh, was completed in 1888 in Arles, Bouches-du-Rhône, France. Exemplifying the Post-Impressionism art movement, this portrait measures 63.5 x 54 cm and currently resides in the Museo de Arte de Sao Paulo (MASP) in São Paulo, Brazil.
The artwork portrays a young boy, identifiable as Camille Roulin, seated against a vivid, textured red background. Van Gogh’s characteristic bold brushstrokes and expressive color palette are evident. The boy, dressed in a blue garment, leans on a chair, gazing thoughtfully into the distance. His attire, contrasting sharply with the warm background, draws attention to his contemplative expression. The artist’s use of dynamic lines and contrasting hues not only highlights the subject’s form but also conveys a sense of depth and emotional intensity, typical of Van Gogh’s portraits. The vivid red backdrop, coupled with the boy’s striking blue attire and contemplative demeanor, encapsulate the essence of Post-Impressionism, emphasizing emotional over literal representation.
