Alfred Sisley

Despite being one of the key figures in French Impressionism, Alfred Sisley was often unjustly overlooked. Unlike his peers, who focused on urban life and industrialization, he primarily painted landscapes. 

Biography of Alfred Sisley

Alfred Sisley was born in Paris to affluent British expatriates, William Sisley and Felicia Sell. His father owned a prosperous business in artificial flowers and silk, while his mother had a passion for music. Both were descendants of a lineage of English smugglers and traders. Alfred Sisley was one of four children, with the eldest brother passing away early. Not much is documented about his adolescence until he was sent to London in 1857 to pursue studies in commerce. During his time in London, Sisley frequented exhibitions at the National Gallery, particularly those featuring John Constable and J.M.W. Turner.

Upon his return to Paris in 1860, Alfred Sisley enrolled at the École des Beaux-Arts. There, he crossed paths with fellow artists Frédéric Bazille, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Claude Monet, and James Whistler while studying under Charles Gleyre. Sisley's training at the school emphasized "technique and preparation," yet Gleyre played a role in nurturing the emerging "impressionist" style. Under Gleyre's guidance, students were encouraged to draw from memory and observe nature closely, emphasizing the value of originality.

Regrettably, none of Sisley's student works remain, and only a few of his early paintings are known. It is assumed that his pre-1870 works were lost when he fled Bougival following the Prussian invasion. His earliest surviving pieces show a resemblance to the Barbizon school, particularly in their attention to color. Notable among his early works are three versions of "Avenue of Chestnut Trees Near La Celle-Saint-Cloud" from 1867, with the last version being accepted into the Salon in 1868.

In 1866, Alfred Sisley encountered a florist named Marie-Louise Adelaide Lescouezec, known as Eugénie. Her background is uncertain, with one account suggesting her family's financial struggles led her to modeling. Another story mentions her father, an officer, dying in a duel when she was young. Despite these uncertainties, Sisley fell deeply in love with her and remained devoted until her passing.

A year following their meeting, the couple welcomed their son Pierre, followed by a daughter named Jeanne in 1869. The outbreak of the Franco-Prussian war in 1870 caused financial turmoil for Sisley. He had been relying on his father's support, but the family business failed shortly after the war began. Tragically, Sisley's father lost everything and passed away not long after.

After his father's passing, Alfred Sisley turned to painting as his main source of income, now responsible for supporting his family. During this period, Sisley's artistic style blossomed. His mastery of color and ability to depict nature with loose brushstrokes began to emerge. Paintings from this time display a variety of tones, with his skill in capturing the nuanced effects of light breathing life into his landscapes. Throughout his career, Sisley preferred to work en plein air, painting directly onto primed canvases. He rarely made alterations to his compositions in the studio. 

Despite his unwavering dedication to Impressionism, Sisley's struggle to sell his paintings led him back to the Salon exhibitions in the 1870s. While rejected by the Salon Jury in 1867 and 1879, they eventually accepted his works later in his career. Unable to showcase in academic settings, Sisley participated in the inaugural Impressionist exhibition in 1874. The group assembled at Nadar's studio, where Sisley displayed five paintings.

From 1874 to 1890, Sisley consistently exhibited his works. He participated in most of the Impressionist shows, along with other art and corporate venues. In 1872, Sisley met Paul Durand-Ruel, a private art dealer who represented him until 1891 when Georges Petit took over the role.

Alfred Sisley's adult life was marked by persistent poverty, often resorting to requesting loans for basic needs. He and his family moved to the outskirts of Paris more than a dozen times in search of more affordable housing. 

It wasn't until later in life, in 1897, that Sisley married his wife. Tragically, Marie passed away from cancer in October 1898, shortly after their return to France from their wedding in Wales. By January 1899, Sisley's health had deteriorated significantly. He invited his close friend Monet to visit, during which he asked Monet to look after his children. Just a week later, Sisley succumbed to throat cancer and was laid to rest at Moret cemetery. 

Despite the popularity of Impressionism, Sisley struggled with recognition and success during his lifetime and remains relatively understudied compared to his peers. The lack of substantial scholarly attention is often attributed to his complex national identity. While Sisley maintained English citizenship throughout his life, he made two unsuccessful attempts to obtain French citizenship. Nonetheless, as a founding member of French Impressionism, Sisley remained committed to the movement's original philosophy throughout his career.

In May 1899, Monet asked Georges Petit to organize an auction at the Hotel Drouot to raise funds for Sisley's children. The auction successfully sold twenty-seven of Sisley's paintings, raising 112,320 francs. Additionally, Sisley's "Flood at Port-Marly" from 1876 was sold in March 1900 for 43,000 francs. While Sisley did not achieve widespread fame during his lifetime, many of his contemporaries recognized his talent.