Route from Louveciennes 1873

Alfred Sisley painted 'Route from Louveciennes', an oil on canvas, at an unknown date. This work typifies Impressionism, a movement born in France that captured fleeting moments of light and color, often in landscapes, as a reaction against the official art establishment. The loose brushwork and focus on natural light are immediately apparent. Sisley’s choice to depict an everyday scene in Louveciennes, a suburb of Paris, reflects a shift in artistic interest toward modern life. Before, the French art establishment favored historical or mythological scenes, often displayed in annual Salons. Artists like Sisley, however, sought to represent the world around them, independent of those constraints. Understanding this painting requires considering the Salon system that dominated art in France at the time. Independent artists had to find new ways to show their work, challenging existing social and artistic norms. Examining letters, reviews, and the history of exhibition spaces helps us understand the context in which such art was not just made, but seen.