By the Eure River in Summer 1902

Gustave Loiseau painted this landscape by the Eure River in Summer, using short, dab-like brushstrokes to build up the scene. It’s like he’s trying to capture not just what he sees, but the very act of seeing itself. Look at how he handles the water. It’s not a smooth, reflective surface, but a mosaic of greens, yellows, and blues, each dab a little moment of perception. You can almost feel the humidity in the air, the way the light bounces off the water and the leaves. The texture of the paint is crucial here; it’s not just about color, but about the physical presence of the paint on the canvas. Loiseau's work reminds me a bit of Camille Pissarro, in the way they both used impressionistic techniques to capture the essence of the French countryside. But where Pissarro’s landscapes often have a certain solidity, Loiseau’s feel more fleeting, more about the sensory experience of being in that place, at that time. And that’s what makes art so endlessly fascinating, isn’t it?