Bridge at Villeneuve-la-Garenne by Alfed Sisley

The "Bridge at Villeneuve-la-Garenne" is one of the bridge paintings done by the prominent Impressionist Alfred Sisley in 1872. It depicts the bridge constructed in 1844 to connect the village in the painting to the Paris suburb of San Denis. The painting stands out with its flat strokes of vibrant colour conveying the effect of sunlight on the water and also as an almost recreation of that era when the industrial revolution, political revolution and wars changed how the people, ordinary or otherwise, thought.

The Painter

Born in Paris to wealthy English parents, Alfred Sisley's unique cultural background played a significant role in shaping his artistic style. Unlike some other Impressionists, Sisley faced financial challenges throughout his artistic career, leading to a deep connection with nature as a source of inspiration for his paintings. His dedication to capturing the play of light, weather, and atmosphere set him apart from the other prominent members of the Impressionist movement.

Alfred Sisley

‘‘Sisley’s main inspiration and interests were, ‘unusual views of bridges, he depicted this imposing structure from water level, looking at it from underneath, as well as everyday detail of local streets, often painting views from his own home or from close by.’ He was also fascinated by engineering structures, the variety of road and rail bridges…and the impact of extreme weather conditions. Sisley liked ‘remote or quiet, unvisited locations.’ This is also a reflection of his personality. Sisley was a very private man; he was ‘reluctant to speak about his work’.’’

Sisley played a crucial role as one of the original members of the Impressionist group. He formed connections with fellow artists such as Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir, and Frédéric Bazille during their early training at Charles Gabriel Gleyre's in the 1860s. Demonstrating his commitment to pleinairism, Sisley, from the onset of his artistic journey, frequently painted in the Fontainebleau Forest near Paris and explored the charming villages of Louveciennes and Moret-sur-Loing. Throughout his career, Sisley consistently adhered to the principles of the Impressionist movement. He incessantly sought to express the sensations he experienced in nature, utilizing the available artistic materials to convey his deep connection with the natural world.

Context

"Bridge at Villeneuve-la-Garenne" was created in 1872, a time of post-war reconstruction in France. Villeneuve-la-Garenne, a small town on the outskirts of Paris was the inspiration for several of his paintings. The Industrial Revolution was changing the landscape in and around the town, and the coexistence of nature and man-made structures became a recurring theme in his work.

Also influential on the artist was the aftermath of the devastating Franco-Prussian War and the societal shifts of the era deeply which influenced the Impressionists and Sisley. The movement broke away from art-academic traditions, preferring a more direct and personal interpretation of the world around them. So, Sisley's dedication to portraying ordinary scenes with extraordinary beauty was in line with the zeitgeist.

Another painter's depiction of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870

The Painting

In Sisley's paintings from the 1870s and early 1880s, there is a notable presence of recently constructed, cutting-edge bridges symbolizing modernity. This particular artwork offers a close-up perspective with a striking angle, showcasing the cast-iron and stone suspension bridge built in 1844 to link Villeneuve-la-Garenne with the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis. Sisley brings vibrancy to the scene by portraying holidaymakers along the Seine and the riverbank. The artist employs flat strokes of vivid colour to capture the play of sunlight on the water, adding a dynamic quality to the overall composition.

The centre-point of the painting is the bridge itself, a common architectural feature rendered extraordinary through Sisley's keen observation and technical prowess. The arches of the bridge and the stone structures are extremely detailed, showing the artist's commitment to precision. The merger of light and weather is captured in the sky and soft reflections on the water, a feature exclusive to the Impressionist style. Sisley's use of colour, with its vibrant and tranquil quality, creates an atmosphere that invites the viewers of the painting to get lost in the scene.

Villeneuve-la-Garenne today reduced to a district of Paris with new housing developments

With its exceptionally strong design, the composition reads well from a distance, with angles of forms in the three dimensions of the bridge contrasting with a flat, bright sky with small clouds. A closer look reveals how the buildings have wide horizontal brush applications, with vertical strokes defining windows and shutters. The shrubs and grass are depicted through irregularly contoured masses of green while large commas and dabs of blue, green, and ivory are used for reflections on the river. There are various tracks leading from the road down the bank of the river and along. Patches of sunlight and coloured shade reveal sheds small rowboats, and lightly sketched figures enjoying the weather. These are probably people from central Paris who came there for entertainment and to have a break from city life.

Although the technique used by Sisley in the painting was one-of-a-kind the technical aspects of it weren’t revolutionary. ‘‘The medium used for the artwork is oil on canvas, with dimensions of 19 1/2 x 25 3/4 in. (49.5 x 65.4 cm). Sisley’s style is typical of his oeuvre, concentrating on his perception of the natural world. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is the location of the painting, adding to its historical significance.’’

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York

Legacy

Despite the financial hardships that he endured throughout his life, Alfred Sisley's legacy which is his contributions to the art world still persists. His dedication to capturing the everyday scenes in an extraordinary light paved the way for generations of artists to come. His contributions extend beyond individual works as he was a bridge between tradition and innovation within the Impressionist movement. "Bridge at Villeneuve-la-Garenne" remains a timeless masterpiece, allowing people to appreciate the delicate balance between humanity and the nature that surrounds them.

Perhaps it is best heard from the very own words of Sisley: ‘‘…The artist’s impression is the life-giving factor, and only this impression can free that of the spectator. And though the artist must remain master of his craft, the surface, at times raised to be the highest pitch of liveliness, should transmit to the beholder the sensation, which possessed the artist…’’