Quai de Clichy. Temps gris

Quai de Clichy, Temps Gris (Grey Weather, 1887) depicts the Seine waterfront at Clichy under overcast conditions — a deliberate contrast to his companion painting Quay at Clichy, Sun. Signac systematically explored the same subject under contrasting light and weather conditions, following the serial method also practised by Monet. Grey weather presented a chromatic challenge: how to maintain divisionist colour vitality when the natural palette is subdued and diffuse. Kunstmuseum Bern.

Under grey sky, the palette shifts to cool blue-greys and muted ochres. Signac maintains divisionist colour separation even in the subdued tonal range of overcast conditions, interspersing warm and cool dots to keep the surface optically active. The contrast with the sunlit companion work demonstrates the method's adaptability to varied light.