Starving French Impressionist Alfred Sisley
By Darla McGammon
With few exceptions, and like the larger percentage of Impressionistic artists, Alfred Sisley’s work was not fully appreciated during his lifetime.
Today his work sells in the millions, but when he was raising a family and supporting them on his income from his art, their existence was mostly difficult and constantly staving off poverty.
He did not begin life so destitute. His parents were affluent British citizens, living in Paris where Sisley was born. The family, which included three other boys, was comfortably well-off. Sisley was sent abroad to London to learn a career in a field that would have been commercially and financially successful.
His parents would have been chagrined at how much time Sisley spent in London visiting and learning from the exhibits of Constable and Turner at the National Art Gallery. His natural talent would not be constrained, and he returned to Paris in 1860 where he became a student at the famous Ècole des Beaux-Arts.
Sisley made new friends during their training together at Charles Gleyre’s Atelier (art studio). He would begin to work and share ideas with artists such as Bazille, Monet, Renoir and Whistler.
One of his closest friendships developed with Renoir who later told his own son that Sisley “was a delightful human being, but he could never resist a petticoat. I would often find him wandering off and playing at his old game of flirting.”
Overall, however, the other students found him pleasant, gregarious and likeable. In 1866, one of those petticoats caught him, and he remained devoted to Eugénie for the rest of his life. In short order, they had two children, Pierre the son, and Jeanne their daughter.
Sisley’s father assisted him and his family and supported them after 1869 when the Franco-Prussian War contributed to Sisley’s growing financial instability. Unfortunately, this support disappeared when his father’s business also succumbed to bankruptcy created by the conflict. Shortly after this tragedy, another happened when Sisley’s loyal father passed away.
Sisley’s work began to mature during this period as he knew the livelihood for his family depended on his art sales. His paintings during this era of his life began to show a decided new ability in the use of color and his growing mastery in presenting nature to the world through loose brushstrokes. Recognizing this improvement in Sisley’s work, an art historian, Christopher Lloyd, said: “Sisley’s compositions are meticulously organized bringing order to a world constantly in flux.”
Sisley worked almost exclusively as a plein air artist as he painted outdoors directly onto a pre-primed canvas. He almost never retouched his outside work when he returned with it to his studio.
In his later years, in spite of many financial setbacks, Sisley remained well-liked by his fellow artists. His art was exhibited during this time and an art dealer represented him. His wife passed away in 1898 when Sisley was also in poor health and concerned about his family.
He requested a visit from his friend Monet who came to visit. Sisley extracted a promise from Monet to care for his children if something happened to him. Only one week later, Sisley passed away from throat cancer.
Although starving artist fit Alfred Sisley’s life, his fellow artists appreciated and admired his work. Monet kept his promise and helped his children with a large auction and other sales of Sisley’s fabulous work.
His work has continued to impress and be recognized today for the excellence and ability of the artist. It is a shame this did not happen to him when he needed it most – during his life. He is now considered one of the greatest of the impressionists as well as included in the company of the greatest European Landscape artists.
EVENTS: At Warsaw City Hall, Daniel Trump Photography is being displayed through October. People may view it 8:30 a.m to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Brenda Stichter has artwork on display at Lakeland Art Gallery. It may be viewed 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays at the studio at 302 E. Winona Ave. Warsaw. Call 574-267-5568 for more information.
Time to think about the Fall Member Show at Lakeland. Obtain a prospectus at [email protected].
Want to be an exhibitor at Warsaw City Hall Art Gallery? Send an email to [email protected] with the subject “Art Exhibit.”
To find out more about the many activities and lessons to be had at Lakeland Art Gallery, visit their website or call the above phone number.