There has never before been a major retrospective exhibition in Europe or America of Sisley's work, and there have been few serious publications. He remains therefore the least known of the major Impressionists. Although a prolific artist, the uneven quality of his output has made it difficult to establish his particular place within the history of Impressionism.

An important international exhibition (of which this is the catalogue) has been organised by the Royal Academy in London, the Musee d'Orsay in Paris and The Wakers Art Gallery in Baltimore. By concentrating on only the highest quality pictures from throughout Sisley's career, his contribution to the forging of Impressionism in the 1860s, his mastery of style in the 1870s and his resolution of the problems of technique in the I88OS are all surveyed and illustrated. In addition, his individual exploration of the idea of serial painting in the 189os is examined.

There has never before been a major retrospective exhibition in Europe or America of Sisley's work, and there have been few serious publications. He remains therefore the least known of the major Impressionists. Although a prolific artist, the uneven quality of his output has made it difficult to establish his particular place within the history of Impressionism.

An important international exhibition (of which this is the catalogue) has been organised by the Royal Academy in London, the Musee d'Orsay in Paris and The Wakers Art Gallery in Baltimore. By concentrating on only the highest quality pictures from throughout Sisley's career, his contribution to the forging of Impressionism in the 1860s, his mastery of style in the 1870s and his resolution of the problems of technique in the I88OS are all surveyed and illustrated. In addition, his individual exploration of the idea of serial painting in the 189os is examined.

The influence of earlier painters, both French and English, as well as of his contemporaries, is studied in Christopher Lloyd's essay on Sisley's stylistic development. Caroline Durand-Ruel Godfroy, great-granddaughter of the dealer Paul Durand-Ruel, discusses the relationship between the artist and his dealer. The impact of Impressionism in America and the history of early exhibitions and collectors there have been researched by William Johnston, who publishes his findings.

Written by an international team of scholars, this book is a richly illustrated complement to the exhibition, exploring all its themes in detail.

Sponsor's Preface

President's Foreword

Committee, Editorial Note and Acknowledgements

Lenders to the Exhibition

Brief Chronology

Essays

Alfred Sisley and the Purity of Vision

Christopher Lloyd

Paul Durand-Ruel and Alfred Sisley, 1872--1895

Caroline Durand-Ruel Godfroy

Alfred Sisley and Early Interest in Impressionism in America, I865-I913

William R. Johnston

The Catalogue

La Celle-Saint-Cloud to Louveciennes: 1865-1875

MaryAnne Stevens

Marly-le-Roi and Sevres: 1875-188o

Christopher Lloyd

Veneux-Nadon and Moret-sur-Loing: I880 1899

Sylvie Patin

Documentary Chronology

Isabelle Cahn

Critical Summary

Isabelle Cahn

Bibliography

Index