In the context of Asnières (Van Gogh series), analyze the Paris of the Background.

In 1886 van Gogh left the Netherlands for Paris never to return.  His brother Theo, a successful Parisian art dealer, provided Vincent the support and connections for an immersion in modern art. In the Netherlands van Gogh was influenced by great Dutch masters, as well as his cousin-in-law Anton Mauve, a Dutch realist painter who was a leading member of the Hague School and a significant early influence. Starting March 1886 van Gogh studied with Fernand Cormon. During that time he lived with his brother Theo, who leased a large apartment on Rue Lepic in Montmartre with space for a studio for Vincent.  Three months later van Gogh abandoned his studies with Cormon, but his education continued as he met local artists.  During 1886 he was introduced to Impressionist artists and their works, such as Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir, Georges Seurat and Paul Signac. In 1887 Van Gogh continued to make important connections with other artists who he befriended and exchanged paintings with, such as Louis Anquetin, Émile Bernard, Armand Guillaumin, Lucien Pissarro and Signac. Having been introduced to Impressionism and Pointillism in Paris, van Gogh began experimenting with related techniques, first on a series of self-portraits before he moved on to larger, more complex compositions.Many of the Impressionist artists also shared his interest in Japanese wood block prints.  The works of ukiyo-e artists, Hiroshige and Hokusai greatly influenced van Gogh, both for the beautiful subject matter and the style of flat patterns of colors, without shadow. Van Gogh arranged an exhibit in Paris of Japanese prints at Café du Tambourin.In the two years, from 1886 through 1888, van Gogh emerged as a sophisticated, thoughtful and provoking artist. It is through association with artists in Paris that he began to dream of a utopian artists community where "like-minded" individuals would realize "the perfect art."
Georges Seurat wood block prints Rue Lepic Paul Signac Louis Anquetin Café du Tambourin Theo Anton Mauve self-portrait Impressionist modern art Émile Bernard Impressionism Pointillism Fernand Cormon Hiroshige realist Renoir Edgar Degas Japanese Hague School Claude Monet Cormon Hokusai ukiyo-e Auguste Renoir Lucien Pissarro great Dutch masters Armand Guillaumin Montmartre Netherlands