Plum and Walnut Trees in Spring 1889

Alfred Sisley made "Plum and Walnut Trees in Spring" using oil on canvas, a common pairing in painting, yet he had a distinctive approach. Sisley's painting style, rooted in Impressionism, focuses on capturing the fleeting qualities of light and atmosphere. Look closely and you’ll see the visible brushstrokes and the layers of paint that give the trees texture. These features emphasize the material qualities of the paint itself. Sisley captured his subjects outdoors, en plein air, which was crucial to the Impressionist movement. Consider the amount of time and labor involved in creating this picture. The process extends beyond the canvas to include the production of paints, brushes, and canvas itself. Ultimately, Sisley's "Plum and Walnut Trees in Spring" reminds us of the labor-intensive processes behind even the most seemingly effortless works of art. By acknowledging these processes, we can appreciate the artist's skill and challenge the traditional distinctions between high art and craft.