An artwork on Galleree from Minneapolis Institute of Art.
About the artwork
Le Pont de Moret1888
Artist: Alfred Sisley
British, Paris 1839 - 1899 Moret-sur-Loing
buildings and bridges with water in foreground; church left of center
25 1/2 x 36 3/16 in. (64.77 x 91.92 cm) (sight)
35 1/2 x 46 1/4 in. (90.17 x 117.48 cm) (outer frame)
Oil on canvas
Painting
France
19th century
The John R. Van Derlip Fund
In the gentle embrace of twilight, nearly a decade before his passing in 1899, Alfred Sisley found solace in the small medieval town of Moret-sur-Loing. Nestled close to the lush expanses of the Forest of Fontainebleau, this charming enclave became Sisley’s muse during the twilight of his life. It was here, amidst the rustling leaves and the soft whisper of the river Loing, that he painted one of his most exquisite works, *Le Pont de Moret*.
The canvas unfolds like a serene morning, revealing a delicate interplay of architecture and nature. It is rare to find such majestic structures in Sisley’s oeuvre, for he was primarily devoted to the allure of river landscapes, where open skies kissed flowing waters. Yet in *Le Pont de Moret*, the bridge stands as a sentinel—an elegant interplay of lines and shapes that harmonize with the softly undulating landscape around it.
As your eyes follow the brushstroke dance across the canvas, you are enveloped in a sense of calm authority. Each stroke, lovingly rendered and interwoven, creates a soothing rhythm that guides you through the scene. The warm and cool tones converse peacefully with each other, painting a portrait of balance—like a gentle embrace between the golden sunbeams and the tranquil shadows.
Here, in this moment captured forever, Sisley pours his heart into the idyllic surroundings he cherished. With every detail, he immortalizes not just the place, but also the ethereal peace he felt in the presence of the river's gentle flow and the whispering trees. The beauty of *Le Pont de Moret* resonates deeply, inviting us all to slow down and bask in the tranquility of nature’s artistry.
About the artist
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