Portraiture is the privileged tool that Vincent van Gogh used to reveal the personality and innermost essence of his models, with the firm intention of making people's souls visible to others. The portraits of the early period depicted peasants, laborers, humble people that Vincent admired for their composure, determination in hard work, and unity in the family. Later he portrayed friends who shared joys and sorrows with him, especially people he could trust. The portraits ware always made by observing the subject from life, in poses that appeared natural, with backgrounds where the contrast between light and dark areas emerged. He himself, in a letter to his sister Wilhelmina, wrote that he wanted to make portraits that seemed like apparitions to future people, not seeking photographic resemblance, but emphasizing passionate expressions and exaltation of character. This is why a portrait of him appears as a mirror of being. Van Gogh always painted people close to him and known by him, trying to penetrate their souls and bring them to the canvas with vibrant colors.