The Sevres Bridge 1877

Alfred Sisley’s ‘The Sevres Bridge’, rendered in oil on canvas, presents us with a landscape where structure meets fluidity. The dominant horizontal composition, anchored by the solid form of the bridge, is softened by the textured, broken brushstrokes that define the foliage and sky. The color palette is muted, yet the subtle variations in tone—from the cool blues of the sky to the warm ochres of the earth—create a sense of depth and atmosphere. Sisley’s approach reflects a shift away from the precise realism of earlier landscape painting. Instead, he captures the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere. Note how the reflection of the trees in the water dissolves their solid form, challenging fixed perceptions and emphasizing the transient nature of visual experience. Sisley invites us to contemplate not just what we see, but how we see, acknowledging the subjective and ever-changing nature of perception.