Alfred Sisley

Alfred Sisley's father, of British descent, had acquired his wealth in the silk trade. He sent his son to England in 1857 to become an apprentice merchant. Sisley proved, however, to be disinterested in trading and returned to Paris to become an artist. In 1862 he worked in the studio of Gleyre, where Renoir and Monet also worked. In this period, his paintings were mainly influenced by Corot and Daubigny. In the 1870s he started choosing a light colour palette, under the influence of Monet and Pissarro. In the 80s Sisley lived in Fontainebleau. Like Monet, he was particularly interested in painting different atmospheric conditions.