1875 (ca.), Alfred Sisley, Wildflowers -- Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (Richmond)
From the museum label: Of the nine known still-life paintings by Sisley, this is the only flower subject. He approached the canvas in a characteristically Impressionist manner, depicting the play of light on a vase of flowers in front of a window. Unlike his landscapes of the early 1870s, which display a harmonious and tonal color applied by a broader brushstroke, this painting exemplifies Sisley's later style. The artist used an increasingly varied palette, evident in the bright red and pink tones accented by flecks of yellow in the floral arrangement. The brushstrokes are more vigorous and free, and Sisley applies the paint in juxtaposing directions to create a sense of movement in the work. The close framing of the vase and the obscure, sparsely rendered background confuse the viewer's immediate perception of the background's depth and perspective. The round table, chair, and unframed landscape paintings that hang on the wall become discernible only after scrutinizing the scene.
1875 (ca.), Alfred Sisley, Wildflowers -- Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (Richmond)
From the museum label: Of the nine known still-life paintings by Sisley, this is the only flower subject. He approached the canvas in a characteristically Impressionist manner, depicting the play of light on a vase of flowers in front of a window. Unlike his landscapes of the early 1870s, which display a harmonious and tonal color applied by a broader brushstroke, this painting exemplifies Sisley's later style. The artist used an increasingly varied palette, evident in the bright red and pink tones accented by flecks of yellow in the floral arrangement. The brushstrokes are more vigorous and free, and Sisley applies the paint in juxtaposing directions to create a sense of movement in the work. The close framing of the vase and the obscure, sparsely rendered background confuse the viewer's immediate perception of the background's depth and perspective. The round table, chair, and unframed landscape paintings that hang on the wall become discernible only after scrutinizing the scene.