Alfred Sisley

Picq-Véron Collection, Ermont-Eaubonne
Durand-Ruel, Paris and New York (acquired from the above on June 25, 1892)
John Pickering Lyman, Boston (acquired from the above on June 19, 1911)
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (gifted by Theodora Lyman in 1919)
Private Collection (acquired in 1987)

"The Gift of Miss Theodora Lyman," Museum of Fine Arts Bulletin, February, 1920, discussed pp. 1-9
Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Summary Catalogue of European Paintings, Boston, 1955, discussed p. 61

Very Good Condition. Canvas is lined. Work is broadly painted in the sky, revealing some original canvas, as the artist intended. Surface retains lively original impasto. Under UV light, no apparent inpainting, otherwise fine.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Painted in 1882, the present work depicts an area that proved to be of great pictorial inspiration for Sisley, the Moret-sur-Loing and its surroundings countryside.  For much of the 1880s, Sisley "found the Moret region replete with potentially promising subjects...  Moret-sur-Loing held particular charm.  On 31 August 1881 ... he conveyed to Monet his impressions of the small town [Moret] where he was to set up house in September 1882: '...Moret is two hours away from Paris, with plenty of houses to rent... market once a week, very pretty church, some quite picturesque views.'  Although he temporarily left Moret for the nearby village of Les Sablons in October 1883, he retuned to settle permanently in November 1889.  The town, redolent in history, still retained many medieval features which appear in Sisley's work..." (Sylvie Patin, Alfred Sisley, exhibition catalogue, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1992, p. 184). 

Sur la route de Moret is characterized by a freshness of light and the immediacy of its impact suggests a scene painted en plein air.  To the left of the composition, the River Loing is discernible in the middle ground.  A solitary figure is visible walking along a path that straddles the river and the vanishing point of the composition is accentuated by bold brushwork that dominates the foreground. 

Fig. 1 The artist, circa 1895