Street in Moret c. 1890

Alfred Sisley painted this oil on canvas depicting a street in Moret, a small town in France, during the late 19th century. Sisley, like his impressionist contemporaries, sought to capture the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere in his landscapes, as can be seen through his rendering of the sky. Sisley's choice to depict an un-monumental town is characteristic of Impressionism, with its focus on modern, everyday life. France in the late 19th century was undergoing rapid industrialization and urbanization, which led to significant social changes and a growing interest in representing the lives of ordinary people. Artists were keen to portray the changing face of France, choosing humble scenes of modern life over grand historical narratives. Understanding Sisley's work requires that we turn to social and institutional histories, opening a world of insight beyond the surface of the image.