Van Gogh's subject in this painting, Joseph Roulin, worked for a post office in the French town of Arles. Van Gogh and Roulin lived on the same street and became close friends. Van Gogh painted many portraits of Roulin. This picture, which van Gogh boasted of having completed quickly, in a single session, was painted after Roulin got a better-paying job and left Arles.