In March of 1886 the Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh moved to Paris to study in the studio of Fernand Cormon. Cormon, a former pupil of the famed French academic painter Alexandre Cabanel, was one of the leading history painters of the time. While there, van Gogh lived with his brother Theo, his most ardent supporter.

Less is known about van Gogh's time in Paris than other periods of his life, since he and his brother had no need to correspond during this time. However, it is known that van Gogh frequented the circle of the Australian impressionist painter John Peter Russell while working in Cormon's studio. He and fellow students, including Emile Bernard and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, used to meet at Julien «Pere» Tanguy's paint store, where they were able to view the works of Paul Cezanne.

In addition to Cezanne, the works of many other Impressionist painters were readily available for viewing in Paris at this time. An exhibition of the Artistes Independants was held in 1886, along with the eighth and final exhibition of the Impressionists. These exhibitions marked the debut of Neo-Impressionism, with works by Georges Seurat and Paul Signac on display.

Theo himself kept a selection of Impressionist paintings in his gallery on Boulevard Montmartre, including works by Claude Monet, Alfred Sisley, Edgar Degas and Camille Pissarro, which may have been a source of consternation for Vincent. Differences of opinion regarding the Impressionists' ways of seeing and painting led to conflict between the brothers, making life for Theo «almost unbearable».

In 1887, having made peace with Theo, van Gogh left for Asnieres, where he became personally acquainted with Paul Signac, the French neo-impressionist painter who, working with Georges Seurat, helped develop the pointillist style. As a result, van Gogh adopted elements of pointillism, which uses many small dots of paint to create an optical blend of hues when seen from a distance. Another aspect of the pointillist style is the use of complementary colors, such as red and green, which form vibrant contrasts when placed side by side.

In November of that same year, Vincent and Theo met Paul Gauguin, who had just arrived in Paris, and the three became friends. Van Gogh would later spend nine weeks painting with Gauguin in Arles, though their time together ended disastrously. In a fit of epilepsy, van Gogh pursued Gauguin with an open razor, though his friend was able to restrain him. Van Gogh did, however, famously manage to cut off a portion of his own earlobe.

Towards the end of 1887, Vincent arranged an exhibition of his paintings, along with those of Bernard, LouisAnquetin, and, more than likely, Toulouse-Lautrec, at the Restaurant du Chalet, on Montmartre. Van Gogh exchanged works with Gauguin, while Bernard and Anquetin finally managed to sell their work. Visitors to the show included Pissarro and his son, Signac, and Seurat.

In February of 1888 van Gogh, feeling worn out, left Paris. Life in the city had taken its toll on him, though not before he had completed more than 200 paintings.