Between 1886 and 1888 Vincent van Gogh stayed in Paris, where his brother Theo lived. There he made a number of independent large format drawings, which are distinguished by size and elaboration of his usual sketches with pen or pencil, and he made as studies for paintings. This extremely well-developed plan offers a view of Montmartre. In the foreground you can see the quarries that were then northeast of the city, in the background the dynamics of a city under development. In Paris Van Gogh began collecting Japanese prints; the impact of these on his work can be seen in this drawing in the composition and bright colors. The Stedelijk Museum collection also has a painting with a related topic: "Vegetable gardens on the Montmartre," also from 1887. - See more at: http://www.stedelijk.nl/kunstwerk/3890-een-buitenwijk- of-paris-face-from-montmartre # sthash.uv1h6HBL.dpuf