Square Saint-Pierre, Paris

Painted during Vincent van Gogh’s transformative Paris period, Square Saint-Pierre, Paris (1887) captures a lively view of the public square near Montmartre, with the newly built Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur looming in the background. The composition combines urban vitality with a sense of structure and calm, reflecting Van Gogh’s growing experimentation with light, color, and modern life.

Using short, vibrant brushstrokes and a brighter palette influenced by Impressionism and Pointillism, Van Gogh conveys the atmosphere of a changing city. This work marks a critical stage in his artistic development, as he moved from darker Dutch tones toward the expressive color and energy that would define his later masterpieces.