By the River Loing 1896

Alfred Sisley made this pastel drawing, By the River Loing, which presents a tranquil view of the French countryside. It seems idyllic and timeless, but we can relate it to debates about the landscape's role in creating a sense of national identity in France. The image is built on familiar visual codes, such as the depiction of rural life with peasants and livestock that carry historical associations with French identity. Sisley was working at a time when French artists and intellectuals were struggling to redefine their national identity in the wake of the Franco-Prussian War. Landscape painting became a way for artists to evoke a sense of belonging and cultural pride, and to comment on social structures. Sisley’s painting seems to critique the institutions of art by choosing not to depict the grand historical events. The work of art historians is to uncover and interpret the cultural values that shape artistic production. By examining period documents, criticism, and the artists' social context, we can better understand the cultural and institutional meaning of art.