Dieppe, Dunquesne Basin, Low Tide, Sun, Morning 1902

This painting of the Dunquesne Basin in Dieppe was made by Camille Pissarro using oil on canvas. The colour palette is fascinating, all muted browns and greys. The process is quite visible, with all those broken strokes of paint. Up close, the surface has a lovely texture. Look at the way Pissarro renders the sky, dabbing the paint on with short, choppy strokes. It’s so physical, you can almost feel the breeze coming off the sea. The way he captures the light on the water is gorgeous. I mean, it's low tide, but the sun still manages to reflect. It's all about capturing a fleeting moment, a sensory experience. Pissarro's work reminds me a little of Courbet, especially the way he embraces everyday subject matter and resists idealization. The beauty is not on the surface, but in the act of painting itself. What do you think?