The 14th of July, 1886 by Vincent van Gogh

At first Van Gogh was reticent about the quality of the Impressionists' work, but after studying their paintings, and seeing them on exhibition he quickly revised his opinion. Though the Impressionism and the Post-Impressionists irrefutably influenced the development of his style, it is of note that his Dutch paintings, done prior to his exposure to the Parisian art scene, were already reflecting a strongly personal approach of deliberate, quick brushstrokes and simplified forms that matured after his exposure to Impressionist works.

One of the defining elements of his style is its uniqueness, and even when openly influenced, or even making direct copies of paintings, his work remains identifiably Van Gogh. This painting for example is Impressionist in feel and reminiscent of The Rue Montorgueil in Paris 1878 by Claude Monet, though less convincingly conceived. Each coarse stroke of Van Gogh's paint is designed to conjure up the atmosphere of the celebratory day, but also shows his concern with form and structure. It is not entirely successful in conception, with too great a disparity in style between the Impressionist flags and lights and the street scene.