La Berceuse (Woman Rocking a Cradle; Augustine-Alix Pellicot Roulin, 1851-1930) 1889 Vincent van Gogh Dutch Of the five versions of Van Goghs portrait of Augustine Roulin, wife of his friend the postmaster of Arles, the present canvas is the one the sitter chose for herself. Van Gogh remarked that "she had a good eye and took the best." He began the portraits just before his breakdown in Arles, in December 1888, and completed them in early 1889, calling them "La Berceuse," meaning "lullaby, or woman who rocks the cradle," indicated by the rope held in the sitters hand, which is attached to the unseen cradle. Buy a print Custom framed to suit your space. La Berceuse (Woman Rocking a Cradle; Augustine-Alix Pellicot Roulin, 1851-1930). Vincent van Gogh (Dutch, Zundert 1853-1890 Auvers-sur-Oise). 1889. Oil on canvas. Paintings