Review by Choice Review
Alfred Sisley (1839-99) has been rightly considered a minor artist of the Impressionist movement: set beside talents such as Manet, Monet, early Renoir, and even Pissaro, his work seems an echo. Indeed, the author admits that the artist's development is, "neither complex nor dramatic." This is not to say that Sisley is not of interest. Shone's effort, the first real study of the artist, is to present soberly and modestly the contributions that Sisley made, and to locate him within the milieu of the Impressionist movement. Shone discusses Sisley's relations with his more prominent contemporaries in great detail and summons new, unused documentary sources; several appendixes present Sisley's letters, those of his family and friends, catalog introductions, and descriptions of his studio. Nonetheless, in keeping with its subject, the text is thin, but the illustrations are lavish (more than 150 in color), eclipsing all else. Well annotated. Not essential for most libraries. L. R. Matteson; University of Southern California
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Booklist Review
Alfred Sisley (1839-99), an early impressionist not illuminated by the spotlight trained on his more famous peers such as Monet or Renoir, has been "admired but little studied." This color-rich volume offers new insights into Sisley's beautifully brooding landscapes and difficult personal life. Having left few autobiographical writings, Sisley has not been an easy subject for biographers, but by doing some detective work and visting Sisley's beloved, oft-painted Parisian suburbs and other locales, art historian Shone has composed a comprehensive, sensitive, and enlightening portrait. Sisley began his career in relative affluence, but was cut off by his father, who not only disapproved of his choice of endeavors but was outraged by Sisley's illegitimate children. Thus began the artist's long, relatively unsuccessful struggle to earn a living and achieve critical recognition. Shone discusses Sisley's penchant for unassuming scenery and the solid, geometric foundation of his compositions. Sisley's palette is often somber, his blacks authoritative and linear in contrast to his atmospheric color. Endlessly enraptured and challenged by the interplay of sky and water, Sisley explored and celebrated its allure in painting after painting, describing his home along the Loing river as "so beautiful, so translucent, so changeable." As are his paintings, finally fully appreciated and treasured. ~--Donna Seaman
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Using unpublished letters and archival documents, Shone ( The Post-Impressionists ) sheds new light on impressionist painter Alfred Sisley (1839-1899) in this engrossing, meticulously researched critical biography. It illuminates the artist's personal estrangement from his English parents who settled in Paris and embraced French bourgeois life. The evidence suggests that the penurious painter was cut off financially by his father, who apparently died insane after suffering business reversals. Sisley emerges here as a resourceful, proud, solitary figure. Shone also provides valuable details on Sisley's genteel poverty, his relations with dealers and fellow impressionists and his secluded later years in northern France. One can follow the distinct phases of Sisley's style in the 130 high-quality color plates and 40 black-and-whites. Indispensable for lovers of Sisley's luminous, healing art. (Nov.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
see Alfred Sisley. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
