By the Oise River 1908

Gustave Loiseau created *By the Oise River* with oil on canvas, though when exactly, we can't be sure. The cool palette creates a contemplative atmosphere, and the brushstrokes, they're like tiny dabs of thought, each one building towards an image, a feeling, a place. Up close you can see how Loiseau uses different brushstrokes to suggest the texture of the trees, the movement of the water, and the stillness of the air. There is a real sense of immediacy about it, like it was painted in one breath. I find the way the green and brown strokes intermingle in the trees so compelling. It reminds me of Cezanne's landscapes, where every stroke is a building block of perception. Loiseau leaves space for us to fill in the gaps, to co-create the experience. It's a conversation between the artist, the painting, and the viewer.