Alfred Sisley – Biography of Alfred Sisley

The impressionist painter Alfred Sisley He was born in Paris on October 30, 1839 into an English family that had moved to the French capital; the father was an important cotton and coffee merchant.

After his studies in France, his father, who wanted him to Alfred to take care of the family’s business, he sent him to study economics in London.

During his stay in that city, the young man realized that he was not interested in economic studies and soon discovered his passion for art. In London he devoted himself to visiting museums and carefully studying the artistic works of William Turner, John Constable and Richard Bonnington. In 1861 he returned to Paris, determined to pursue an artistic career. Fortunately, he obtained the moral and financial support of the family, aware of the great artistic talent of the young man.

That same year he began to participate in the courses that were given in the famous study of Charles Gleyre. The courses were followed by other artists, future impressionists, such as Pierre Auguste Renoir, Frédéric Bazille and Claude Monet with whom he formed a strong friendship. The artist and his painters friends used to tour the Parisian capital and the forests of Fontainebleau, with the intention of painting the spectacular landscapes.

Three years later, Gleyre’s art studio closed and the painter became a student of artist Camille Corot, famous for making paintings of natural landscapes. In 1866 he participated in the Painting Salon with two works. In this period, he met Eugénie Lescouezec, a florist and model with whom he had an affair, marrying that same year. From this relationship two children were born, Pierre and Jeanne Adèle. However, the father of Alfred He did not accept this relationship and took away his financial support.

Despite serious financial difficulties, the painter was able to participate with some works in the Salon in 1868 and in 1870. In these two years, France was involved in the Franco-Prussian War, an event that altered the lives of the artist and his friends Impressionists, after the death on the war front, of his friend Frédéric Bazille, who had enlisted.

In these years, not counting on the financial support of the family, he realized that painting had to become a true profession that would provide sustenance for himself and his family. For this reason, to save money, he decided to leave Paris and settle in Argenteuil.

His friend Claude Monet had also settled in Argenteuil, who in 1872 introduced him to the owner of the Paul Durand-Ruel Gallery in London, who bought him some paintings. The following year four of his works were exhibited at the Durand-Ruel gallery.

On two occasions the painter tried unsuccessfully to obtain French citizenship. In 1874 he participated in the first impressionist exhibition in Nadar’s photographic studio and after spending a few months in England. The following year he changed residence, settling in Marly-le-Roi. Along with other Impressionist artists he exhibited new works of art in the next two years and in 1882.

Due to the financial insufficiency of Paul Durand-Ruel, Sisley and other Impressionist artists suffered financial problems, forcing them to sell many of their works at unsuccessful auctions.

Alfred Sisley he changed residence several times, settling first in Sèvres and then in Veneux-Nadon. Thanks to the improvement in the economic and financial situation of Durand-Ruel, who bought some paintings, his economic situation improved.

In the same year he moved to Moret-sur-Loing and the London gallery owner organized a personal exhibition of the artist, presenting approximately seventy works. The exposure did not obtain the expected benefits and Alfred SisleyDisappointed, he did not participate in the last Impressionist exhibition held in 1886.

Paul Durand-Ruel, however, continued to organize new exhibitions of his works, both at the Paris Gallery and the New York Gallery. From 1892, the artist began to exhibit his works in the Hall of the National Society of Fine Arts.

Alfred Sisley He died at the age of 59 in Moret-sur-Loing, on January 29, 1899, as a British citizen since, despite his efforts, he could never obtain French citizenship.