Pont de Moret dans le soleil du matin 1888

Alfred Sisley created 'Pont de Moret dans le soleil du matin' with oil on canvas. Sisley employs short, broken brushstrokes to capture the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere on the townscape. The texture of the paint surface is quite rough, almost crusty in places, which reinforces the sense of immediacy and directness. The repetitive gestures of the brush suggest a rapid, intuitive execution, as if the painting was completed en plein air, directly in front of the subject. This technique was typical for Impressionists, and emphasizes a subjective and personal interpretation of the scene. The material handling is essential here. Sisley makes no attempt to disguise the labor involved in the painting's creation; the marks of the brush are proudly on display. This contrasts sharply with the academic tradition of painting, which sought to create a seamless illusion of reality. Instead, Sisley embraces the materiality of his chosen medium, asserting the artist's presence in the work.