Paul Signac (1863–1935) was a central figure and leading theorist of French Neo-Impressionism, and together with Georges Seurat, co-founded Pointillism. He was not only a painter but also an avid sailor and writer, and through his writings and leadership of artist societies, he deeply influenced later generations of art.

Signac was one of the founders of Pointillism, but this particular work adopts a freer, more direct approach using watercolor and chalk, capturing the Mediterranean sunlight and airy atmosphere with light, effortless brushstrokes.

In the early 20th century, Saint-Paul-de-Vence became an important gathering place for artists. Masters such as Matisse and Picasso once lived and worked there. Signac's depiction of this place is not merely a sketch of the landscape; it also records the cultural atmosphere of the artistic community of that era.