Lot Essay
In November 1889, Sisley settled in Moret-sur-Loing, a town where he had stayed and painted many times before. It was a region famous for its physical charm, and Sisley was delighted with the place, praising "the beautiful scenery round about" (quoted in M. Stevens, Alfred Sisley, London, 1992, p. 184). Sisley was especially attracted to river views:
He seemed unable for long to resist painting works in which there was water to offer its reflections, and river-banks to provide constantly changing activities. He was indefatigable in his exploration of the Loing, wide and shallow as it passed under the old bridge at Moret, deepening and curving as, joined first by the Canal du Loing and, almost immediately afterwards, by the energetic stream of the Orvanne, it flowed towards St-Mammès and out into the Seine. (R. Shone, Sisley, New York, 1992,
p. 144)
He seemed unable for long to resist painting works in which there was water to offer its reflections, and river-banks to provide constantly changing activities. He was indefatigable in his exploration of the Loing, wide and shallow as it passed under the old bridge at Moret, deepening and curving as, joined first by the Canal du Loing and, almost immediately afterwards, by the energetic stream of the Orvanne, it flowed towards St-Mammès and out into the Seine. (R. Shone, Sisley, New York, 1992,
p. 144)