Alfred Sisley, a British citizen born in France, was a landscape painter who played a crucial role in the development of the impressionist movement. Alongside renowned painters such as Monet and Renoir, Sisley dedicated his career to capturing the beauty of the French countryside. Despite living in poverty for most of his life, he chose to pursue painting instead of a business career. Sisley’s unique focus on landscapes set him apart from other impressionists, as he rarely ventured into figure studies or explored subjects outside of the movement. His paintings, characterized by their naturalistic depictions of rural French life, often incorporate elements of steam, snow, rain, and other natural forces that soften the presence of man-made objects. Although his work was not widely recognized during his lifetime, Sisley’s paintings now hold great value and are highly sought after by prestigious art collections worldwide. While he may be overshadowed by the likes of Monet, Sisley’s contribution to the impressionist movement remains invaluable.
Quick Facts
- British Celebrities Born In October
- French Celebrities Born In October
- Died At Age: 59
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Marie Lescoueze
- Father: William Sisley
- Mother: Felicia Sell
- Children: Jeanne, Pierre
- Died on: January 29, 1899
- Place of death: Moret-sur-Loing, France
- Cause of Death: Throat Cancer
- City: Paris
Childhood & Early Life
Alfred Sisley was born on 30 October 1839 in Paris. He was the only son of William Sisley, a wealthy British silk merchant, and Felicia Sell, a cultivated music connoisseur. Although he spent most of his life in France, he maintained his identity as a British citizen. In 1857, Sisley traveled to London to study business for four years but realized that he didn’t belong to that world. He returned to France and began studying art.
Education and Impressionist Movement
In 1862, Sisley started studying in an atelier within the Paris École des Beaux-Arts. It was during this time that he developed his practice of painting en plein air, which means painting outdoors onsite rather than in the studio. It was at this school that he met and befriended Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and other famous impressionists of the time.
Career and Major Works
Sisley’s early paintings during the 1860s helped to develop the impressionist style. However, they were not accepted in a large public art exhibit until 1868. His paintings, along with others in the impressionist style, were considered too colorful and representational by critics of the time. When the Franco-Prussian War began in 1870, Sisley’s father went out of business, and Sisley had to rely solely on his paintings to support himself. Although he started his career with an allowance from his father, he lived in poverty for the rest of his life. It wasn’t until after his death that his paintings started fetching high prices.
During his career, Sisley painted over 900 landscapes in the impressionist style. He focused almost exclusively on landscapes painted outdoors and painted very few figure studies. His work became known for its increasing intensity and depth of expression in his later years. One of his most famous paintings, “Sand Heaps” painted in 1875, is owned by the Art Institute of Chicago and is widely recognized as a tranquil example of impressionism.
Personal Life & Legacy
In 1866, Sisley began a relationship with Eugénie Lesouezec, a British woman living in Paris. They had two children together and got married in their native country on August 5th, 1897. Sisley died on 29 January 1899 at the age of 59. Despite spending most of his time in France, he died without French citizenship in the same small village near Moret-sur-Loing that featured in many of his landscapes. Sisley received very little recognition during his lifetime and died a poor man. It was only after his death that he was recognized as one of the great impressionist painters.
Trivia
One of Sisley’s famous works, “The Lane of Poplars at Moret,” completed in 1890, has been stolen three times from the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Nice. However, it has been recovered each time and continues to be displayed in the museum. Although Sisley and Monet were acquainted throughout their careers, Sisley’s works are often overshadowed by the famous French-born painter. However, Sisley’s work is often considered more subtle and subdued.