As the year drew to a close Van Gogh was becoming restless again and travelled to the city of Antwerp, Belgium to enrol at the Academy, which he did in January 1886. But true to form, his stay lasted only a matter of weeks as he quickly tired of the constraints imposed by his tutors. This was history repeating for a man who, time and again had abandoned classroom instruction in favour of hands-on learning.

Having worked at his skills for five years, and produced his first important painting, he found himself ready for a new challenge. Enticed by the promise of a Bohemian lifestyle and the opportunity to mix with the Impressionists, he decided he would move to Paris.

So it was that in early 1886, despite his brother's misgivings Vincent moved in with Theo in Montmartre. It was to prove a significant period as with the benefit of Theo's extensive network of contacts in the contempory art world Vincent was exposed to works of the Impressionists, including Sisley, Degas, Monet, Pissarro and in particular Adolphe Monticelli.

Whilst absorbing the influences of this fashionable movement, in particular their bright pallettes and portrayal of light, he also discovered and began to adopt their discontinuous brush technique. He also met and studied the work of the Pointillist Georges Seurat and along with Theo he met Paul Gauguin. The two were to become good friends.

Lacking the funds to employ models he devoted much time to self-portraits whilst in Paris. A progression can be seen in these paintings as the artist gradually discards the dull hues of his "Brabant" pallette in favour of the bolder colours favoured by the impressionists. He also painted a great number of landscapes in Montmartre, as well as in the surrounding villages including Asnieres.

Also, drawn to the newly accessible Japanese woodblock art, he experimented with it's bold colors and calligraphy. Although he produced only three complete works in the Japanese style it's subtle influence can also be observed in later pieces.         next