A Turn of the River Loing, Summer 1896

Alfred Sisley painted ‘A Turn of the River Loing, Summer’ with an evocative rendering of light through the trees. The trees, acting as silent witnesses, frame the scene and provide a connection to nature. The trees can be traced back to ancient cultures, where trees have been symbols of life, growth, and connection between the earthly and divine realms. Think of the Tree of Life, a motif appearing in various cultures. But note how Sisley's Impressionistic style dematerializes the trees. Their symbolism is not specific. The painting transcends the specificity of symbolic meaning, instead engaging the viewer's emotional response to the image. The play of light and shadow conveys a powerful sense of calm and reflection. The image invites us to contemplate the cyclical nature of life and our connection to the natural world, resonating with a visual vocabulary deeply embedded in our collective memory.