By the River 1881

Alfred Sisley created this oil on canvas painting, "By the River," capturing a serene waterside scene. Notice how the composition is structured through horizontal layers: the grassy bank in the foreground, the river reflecting the sky, and the line of trees dividing earth and sky. The materiality of the paint is evident in the textured brushstrokes that define the foliage and clouds, invoking a sensory experience of the landscape. Sisley employs a subdued palette, with muted greens, yellows and blues, creating a harmonious, almost melancholic atmosphere. Sisley’s approach reflects Impressionism’s break from traditional academic painting. The attention to the transient effects of light and atmosphere marks a shift towards prioritizing subjective perception over objective representation. The visible brushstrokes, rather than attempting to conceal the artist's hand, emphasize the act of painting itself, drawing attention to the surface and materiality of the artwork. The structural clarity of the composition, with its careful arrangement of horizontal and vertical elements, adds a sense of order to the ephemeral qualities of light and atmosphere, reflecting a dialogue between structure and sensation.