Sisley, Alfred (1839-1899)
Le pont de Sèvres (The Bridge at Sèvres)
c.1877
Oil on canvas, 38.1 × 46 cm
Tate Britain, London
The British painter Alfred Sisley was part of the French impressionist group. He painted ten works from the local bridge in Sèvres, on the outskirts of Paris, where he lived. Each work in the series was painted from slightly different viewpoints and in different weather conditions. Most date from 1877. This one is painted looking south, with the first houses of Billancourt on the left and Sèvres on the right. (Tate)
In the early summer of 1877 Sisley moved to Sèvres, a suburb of Paris which was famous for its porcelain factory. As well as painting the town itself and its quays he also made a number of paintings of the bridge over the Seine. Five of these rapidly painted views are dated 1877, and it is probable that this work was painted at around the same time. The paintings are characterised by a fresh, breezy atmosphere coupled with the portrayal of diverse riverside activities. In this case Sisley has depicted people fishing. (NG)
Compare:
Sisley, Alfred (1839-1899)
Le Pont de Sèvres
1877
Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia