28 Alfred Sisley Facts: An Elite Landscape Painter & Artist!

Alfred Sisley was born in Paris, France on October 30, 1839.

Alfred Sisley was a British citizen, but he spent most of his life in France while retaining his British citizenship. Alfred Sisley was one of the foremost painters of French Impressionism. 

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a significant artistic movement was developed in France by the Parisian painters. Impressionist paintings were created by certain artists during that time and shared specific similar characteristics.

One of the most fascinating characteristics of impressionism was the accurate illustration of reality and how it is affected by the transient effects of light and color. Some of the principal impressionist painters were Pierre Auguste Renoir, Claude Monet, Frederic Bazille, Camille Pissarro and Alfred Sisley.

The famous book 'From Monet to Cézanne: Late 19th Century French Artists' published by Grove Art, New York, St Martin's Press features some important details of his works.

Another book that you can refer to in order to know more about Alfred Sisley is 'The Chronicle of Impressionism: An Intimate Diary of the Lives and World of the Great Artists' London, Thames and Hudson'.

Read on for some interesting Alfred Sisley facts. Afterward, also check Alfred Stieglitz facts and Alfred Tennyson facts.

Early Life Of Alfred Sisley

Alfred Sisley is without any doubt, one of the greatest artists of his generation.

The quality, finesse, and attention to detail in his paintings are a lesson for budding artists even today. If you are interested in knowing more about his early life, then here are some interesting facts on the early life of Alfred Sisley.

Alfred Sisley was born into a wealthy English family. Like his father, William Sisley ran a silk business. His mother, Felicia Sisley, was a cultivated music connoisseur.

Initially, his parents wanted Alfred Sisley to study commerce, for which he was sent to London to check business in 1857 when Sisley was 18. While he was in London, it is believed that Alfred Sisley was inspired by various landscape artists like John Constable and J. M. W. Turner, whose exhibitions at the National Gallery he visited frequently.

Abandoning his career in 1862, Alfred Sisley returned to Paris. Here, Sisley began his formal studies in art after enrolling at the prestigious Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris within the atelier of the Swiss artist Marc Charles Gabriel Gleyre.

His earliest known painting named Lane near a Small Town is believed to have been painted in 1864, during his time in the atelier.

While learning to be a landscape painter in the studio, Alfred Sisley became acquainted with famous painters like Claude Monet, Jean Frederic Bazille, and Pierre Auguste Renoir. All these favorite artists painted landscapes together in open areas or en Plein air rather than a studio to realistically capture the transient effects of sunlight.

During 1870-1871, when the Franco-German war broke out, Alfred Sisley had to move briefly to England as his family faced financial problems. During this time of crisis, Alfred Sisley decided to make painting his full-time profession.

Passion & Profession Of Alfred Sisley

For Alfred Sisley, painting was not only his profession but also his passion. This is probably the reason that he was so good at it; after all, when your passion is your profession, you are bound to excel in it. Here are some interesting facts on the passion and profession of Alfred Sisley.

In 1868, his painting Avenue of Chestnut Trees Near La Celle Saint-Cloud was accepted to be exhibited at the Salon exhibition in Paris. But unfortunately, this exhibition, as well as subsequent exhibitions, failed to bring him any financial success or stability.

Shortly after, Alfred Sisley exhibited six of his landscape paintings at the first Impressionist style Exhibition, including Autumn: Banks of Seine.

The Franco-Prussian war started in 1870, led Sisley’s father’s business to financial ruin, and Alfred Sisley was left without financial support. But he decided to make painting his full-time profession and returned to France with that passion.

Later, Alfred Sisley lived in poverty for most of his life and made some money by selling his French paintings occasionally. Most of his work was done between 1872-1880, where he worked on landscapes in regions like the outskirts of Paris, Louveciennes, Marly, Bougival, Saint Cloud, Sevres, and Meudon.

At this time, Albert was in constant touch with the famous painter Monet, which is believed to be his source of inspiration during the prime of his artistic career. Unlike Monet, Alfred Sisley’s works gained wide recognition only after dying in 1899.

Still, it is said that his fellow artists always recognized his talent and were a huge source of inspiration for each other.

During 1897, Sisley spends some months in Wales at Osborne Hotel to paint some fine arts painting to capture the beauty of Wales. In Paris, Sisley stays not far from the avenue de Clichy. In 1892, he created his famous le Pont de Moret painting as bridges favored delicate arts motifs.

The Workmanship Of Alfred Sisley

As per experts, Alfred Sisley was an absolute genius who is still well known in the art community for his workmanship. His paintings are regarded as masterpieces and exhibited in numerous galleries across the world. Here are some of the most interesting facts on the workmanship of Alfred Sisley.

Some of the famous early paintings made by Alfred Sisley have a more somber tone, with dark browns, pale blues, and greens giving the impression of gentle landscapes. Most of these works were done in Marly and Saint-Cloud.

It is believed that Alfred Sisley was inspired by modern painters like Camille Pissarro and Edouard Manet, as his work reflected the delicate color palette of these artists. Of the paintings executed by Sisley, one is of his daughter Jeanne who was his second child.

Some of his most important and famous works include the series of paintings of the River Thames painted around Hampton Court and several landscape paintings of places around Moret Sur Loing.

Some of the most famous works of Alfred Sisley, which includes Street in Moret and Sand Heaps, are displayed at the Art Institute of Chicago, while The Bridge at Moret sur Loing is displayed at Musee d’Orsay in Paris.

Most of his notable paintings of the river Seine in France and its bridges evoke tranquility and peace due to his use of pale shades of colors like green, blue, pink, cream, and purple.

One of the most impressive features of Alfred Sisley’s paintings is his depiction of the skies, which is astonishingly accurate and realistic. He was the only impressionist painter that concentrated only on landscape painting other than any impressionist artists.

It is believed that Alfred Sisley painted works that were unfortunately overshadowed by Monet, which was one of the factors for his lack of recognition in the field of painting. Early snow at Louveciennes is another famous masterpiece created in 1870-1871.

Death Of Alfred Sisley

Alfred Sisley was a British citizen but he was in fact born in France. But how did Alfred Sisley die? Could his death have been prevented? Let us have a look at some interesting facts related to the death of Alfred Sisley to know more.

According to the art historian, Sisley broadly painted calm landscapes that were colorful and serene. Alfred Sisley got married during the end years of his life, although he had been living with his wife for almost his entire youth.

Alfred Sisley applied for French citizenship one time but was rejected. One factor that may have contributed to his lack of success was his being torn between two cultures, which made it difficult for him to establish himself. The second time he applied for French citizenship, his deteriorating health intervened.

By the end of his life, Alfred Sisley developed throat cancer and passed away at 59 after succumbing to the illness on January 29, 1899, at his home in Moret Sur Loing.

Alfred Sisley had created more than 900 oil paintings, a hundred pastel paintings, and several drawings during his lifetime, which gained acclaim and recognition after his passing away. The museum's curator at musée d’Orsay says that they have many Sisley paintings, masterpieces in fine arts.

Painters who paint landscapes have many famous paintings in many European museums which are still considered fine arts and demand a great price too.

Alfred Sisley is without any doubt one of the geniuses of his era. Various art schools across the world train young and budding artists by explaining the details of the paintings produced by Alfred Sisley. So, we can say that he is still inspiring generations of artists and painters with his masterly work.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Alfred Sisley facts then why not take a look at Albert Bandura facts, or Albert Camus facts.