Paris, May 1887. This sunny park scene is one of the largest canvases Van Gogh painted. Gardens and parks were poetic places for him, and the romantic feel of this image is further heightened by the three courting couples. The execution of the painting was inspired by the Pointillists, who built up their compositions from stipples of paint. Rather than dots, however, Van Gogh used small strokes of color of varying length, which he applied in different directions. The technique helped him achieve a joyful and radiant effect, which perfectly matches the sense of intimacy and togetherness he wanted to express. Van Gogh had a relationship with Agostina Segatori, who ran a café in Montmartre, at the time he painted this work. The affair did not last long: Van Gogh had an unhappy love life, to which he eventually resigned himself. At the end of the day, he was devoted to his art. (https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en/collection/s0019V1962)