The painting was created during Van Gogh's time in Paris, where he was heavily influenced by the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist styles. It is believed that he created this self-portrait as a way to experiment with different techniques and to capture his own likeness.

The painting is believed to have been inspired by the work of Jean-François Millet, a French painter who also depicted scenes of rural life. The painting is considered to be a powerful example of Van Gogh's ability to capture the everyday lives of ordinary people.

This painting is significant in that it represents Van Gogh's experimentation with Impressionism, and his interest in depicting the modern cityscape. The painting also reflects his growing interest in color theory and the use of complementary colors, as seen in the contrast between the blue sky and the orange-red of the sunset.