Snow Effect at Louveciennes

French, 1839-1899
Snow Effect at Louveciennes
1874
pastel on paper
1961.13

9 x 12 inches
 

From his admiration for Corot, Alfred Sisley retained a passionate interest in the sky and snow, the two interests often combining to create a strangely dramatic effect, as in one of his most mature work: Snow Effect at Louveciennes. The subject is represented simply, making all the superfluous details abstract in order to enhance the description of the peaceful landscape. The artist seems most concerned with its shapes and textures. The light palette, the luminous harmony, and the ample and thick strokes create an effect of vibrancy. A softening of detail conveys the chill of a winter day. Sisley unmasks here his taste for balanced compositions and vast and airy skies.