In the London National Gallery is an exhibition of British landscapes, one of the largest representatives of Impressionism Alfred Sisleya (Alfred Sisley, 1839-1899).

He was born in Paris in the English family and most of his life spent in France. At home his parents he was only four times: in the period of study in London in the years 1857-1861, and during three short visits in 1874, 1881 and 1897 years. However, he wrote Sisley in England only in 1874 and 1897 years. Despite the fact that they shared the trip nearly a quarter century, all of the «English period» reveal to us the master in the prime creative force. Exposition «Sisley in England and Wales,» in the National Gallery for the first time brought together these two groups of British landscapes, held in private collections and museums in Europe and the United States.

During the first visit to England, in 1874 the main theme in the works Sisleya became the Thames, which he painted at the same time a place of work and rest. At that time in London, he wrote only one picture «Thames View: Most Tshering Crosse». The rest of his paintings focus on landscapes suburb Hampton court (near the same royal palace) and the town of East Mols, which moved the artist. On the canvas Sisley captures scenes of suburban life in the river: urban vacationers, boating, swimming, or strolling in the sun. Examples that can be found in the works «Regatta at Hampton-court» and «Dam in Mols. Hampton court. Morning », who came to the exhibition from Switzerland and Scotland.

exhibition at the National Gallery also includes rare for Sisleya sea, written during his last visit to the UK. In summer 1897 is already mortally ill with cancer 57-year-old artist and his common law wife, Lekuezek Eugénie (Eugénie Lesouezec), are also suffering from cancer, decided to finally legitimize their relationship, to acknowledge the right of two adults had at the time of children. In order not to create undue public noise in France, where Sisley was widely known and has been exhibited, the formalization of the marriage be held in the capital of Wales, Cardiff.

After the wedding the artist and his wife stayed in the seaside town Penart near Cardiff, as well as the resort Lenglend Bay near Swansea. It was here, at the end of his life, having reached maturity, Sisley wrote beautiful coast of Wales. He brilliantly captures the game of light on the surface of the sea, tidal Bristol Bay. Several of his paintings are devoted to one of the sights Penarta - huge stone Storrs-rock from the sea. Sisley painted it at different times of the day at various altitudes of the water. Landscapes that were written in Wales, were among the last of the master. In October 1897 Sisley returned to France. A year later his wife died, and another three months - in January 1899 - died, and the artist himself.

After his death, the British divided by different landscapes of the owners - from European and Japanese collectors, museums. For the current exhibition of paintings have been collected from the funds of the National Gallery, and museums in Scotland, Wales, France, Switzerland, the United States, several cities in Germany and several private collections.

Exhibition «Sisley in England and Wales» last in the National Gallery until February 15, 2009.

material produced Catherine Onuchin

Sources: artknowledgenews.com , nationalgallery.org.uk , rian.ru , artinvestment.ru