From Publishers Weekly
Using unpublished letters and archival documents, Shone ( The Post-Impressionists ) sheds new light on impressionist painter Alfred Sisley (1839-1899) in this engrossing, meticulously researched critical biography. It illuminates the artist's personal estrangement from his English parents who settled in Paris and embraced French bourgeois life. The evidence suggests that the penurious painter was cut off financially by his father, who apparently died insane after suffering business reversals. Sisley emerges here as a resourceful, proud, solitary figure. Shone also provides valuable details on Sisley's genteel poverty, his relations with dealers and fellow impressionists and his secluded later years in northern France. One can follow the distinct phases of Sisley's style in the 130 high-quality color plates and 40 black-and-whites. Indispensable for lovers of Sisley's luminous, healing art. Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Language Notes
Text: French


From the Publisher
A survey of the life and work of Alfred Sisley, one of the leading exponents of the Impressionist movement. The text examines how Sisley's painting life was devoted to the landscape. The author examines the tonal balance of such celebrated paintings as the snow-scenes of the Paris suburbs, views of the flooded Seine at Port-Marly and the colourful regattas on the Thames. The author recognizes that full recognition for the artist and his work only began after his relatively early death and argues that even now, his work is unjustifiably neglected. In studying Sisley's artistic development, the artist's English nationality, early career, struggle to earn a living, and secluded later years are examined.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Alfred Sisley (1839-1899) was one of the greatest landscape painters of the nineteenth century and a leading figure in the Impressionist movement. This is the most detailed and authoritative survey of his life and work to be published thus far. With a wealth of illustrations, much new research, and an absorbing text, it reveals Sisley as an artist of seductive power and originality. Sisley's painting was devoted to the landscape. His celebrated scenes of the Paris countryside, views of the flooded Seine at Port-Marly, and colorful regattas on the Thames achieve a superb balance of tones and a poetic evocation of mood while also offering a lively depiction of their subjects. Kenneth Clark described the wonderful series of Thames paintings as embodying "the perfect moment of Impressionism." And yet, as his friend Arsene Alexandre said, "Sisley lived proud and died poor." His art gained full recognition only after his death, and even now his work is often overlooked. Richard Shone brings to this long-awaited book a fresh eye and an intimate knowledge of the Ile de France, the locale of many of Sisley's paintings. Shone's research has brought to light much new biographical information - on the artist's early career, his struggle to earn a living, and his secluded later years - all of which leads to a greater understanding of Sisley's artistic development. The many full-color illustrations include important series of paintings never before reproduced together in such quantity - the floods, the snow scenes, the church at Moret-sur-Loing, the Welsh coast. From this landmark book emerges a picture of a painter continually renewing his art, absorbing varied influences yet creating a personal vision of rural France that is as enduring and enchanting as the work of his fellow Impressionists. Richard Shone confirms the truth of Pissarro's description of Sisley as "a great and beautiful artist."

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Using unpublished letters and archival documents, Shone ( The Post-Impressionists ) sheds new light on impressionist painter Alfred Sisley (1839-1899) in this engrossing, meticulously researched critical biography. It illuminates the artist's personal estrangement from his English parents who settled in Paris and embraced French bourgeois life. The evidence suggests that the penurious painter was cut off financially by his father, who apparently died insane after suffering business reversals. Sisley emerges here as a resourceful, proud, solitary figure. Shone also provides valuable details on Sisley's genteel poverty, his relations with dealers and fellow impressionists and his secluded later years in northern France. One can follow the distinct phases of Sisley's style in the 130 high-quality color plates and 40 black-and-whites. Indispensable for lovers of Sisley's luminous, healing art. (Nov.)

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