Roulin was a friend of Van Gogh's, and the two men had a close relationship. In the painting, Roulin is depicted with a red beard and a blue cap, against a background of swirling, vibrant colors. The swirling lines and bright colors create a sense of movement and energy, while also emphasizing the individuality and character of Roulin himself.

The painting was created during Van Gogh's time in Arles, in the south of France, where he was inspired by the vibrant colors and bright light of the Mediterranean landscape. The Rhône River was a frequent subject of his paintings during this time, and he created several other works featuring the same scene.

Van Gogh wrote to his brother Theo about the painting, saying
"I have tried to express the terrible passions of humanity by means of red and green. The room is blood red and dark yellow with a green billiard table in the middle; there are four lemon-yellow lamps with a glow of orange and green. Everywhere there is a clash and contrast of the most alien reds and greens [...]"