In the winter of 1886–87, Vincent van Gogh bought 660 woodcuts from the Parisian art dealer Siegfried Bing. In the attic of his gallery Van Gogh was able to browse the thousands of Japanese prints Bing offered for sale at low prices.
Van Gogh did not pick out the best-known or most expensive works. He preferred prints with bright colours and attractive motifs, such as geishas in kimonos and exotic landscapes.
Japan as an example
Van Gogh most likely bought the Japanese woodcuts on a whim. He intended to start trading in the prints. When nothing came of this plan he began to study them more closely in the course of 1887.
In the autumn of that year, he painted three copies of prints in his collection. He also worked them into the background of his portraits. The art of the future, Van Gogh was convinced, had to be colourful and joyous, just like Japanese printmaking.
