This oil painting by Vincent Van Gogh dates from 1888, a prolific year spent in Arles, France, where he sought to capture the essence of everyday life and local personalities with vibrant colours. It presents a close-up of baby Marcelle Roulin, the youngest child of the postman Joseph Roulin, a close friend of the artist. The infant, clad in a pale white gown and bonnet, gazes directly forward, held by the partially visible hands and arm of an adult figure, likely her mother. Van Gogh's characteristic thick brushstrokes are evident, particularly in the striking yellow background that bathes the scene in a warm, almost spiritual light. The composition focuses on the child's innocent