The English Coast, Penarth 1897

Alfred Sisley made this oil painting, The English Coast, Penarth, with manufactured paints on a woven canvas support. The textured surface that you see is a direct result of his technique. The rapid strokes of the brush loaded with paint give the impression of spontaneity. Look closely and you'll notice how the materiality is integral to the way the painting conveys the scene, from the churning sea, to the smokestacks far in the distance. Sisley’s impressionistic technique shows us that labor in the production of the painting, and asks us to consider the labor that is used to power the boats in the distance. Even the canvas itself, industrially produced, speaks to the social conditions of the late 19th century. The inherent qualities of the paint, its viscosity and color, are crucial in understanding not just what is depicted, but how Sisley actively engaged with the industrialized world around him. Sisley’s painting underscores the importance of recognizing the social context and labor involved in the artwork’s production.