The Oise near Pontoise in Grey Weather

This 1876 Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen canvas depicts the Oise river near Pontoise under grey, overcast skies — one of Pissarro's most characteristic weather conditions, reflective of the flat, silvery light of the Île-de-France that dominated his Pontoise decade. The Oise river flowing through the town provided Pissarro with a constant subject: its reflecting surface, its banks lined with willows and poplars, and the industrial activity along its wharves. Grey weather allowed him to explore the subtleties of muted, tonally unified colour — an alternative to the sunlit brilliance associated with Impressionism.

The palette is restricted to cool greys, pale blues, and muted greens appropriate to the overcast day. Pissarro builds the river's surface with horizontal strokes of subtly varied tones. The poplar trees on the banks are indicated with vertical, upward marks. The composition is horizontal and meditative, avoiding strong focal points.