The Loing at Saint-Mammès

In this view of the Loing river, southeast of Paris, Sisley records not only the specific atmospheric conditions of a clear, sunny day but also the everyday work life along this functional waterway. Elongated, overlapping strokes of white, pink, purple and blue render the expansive sky dappled with clouds, while shorter, more textured dabs suggest the rippling, mirrored surface of the water. Grounded along the riverbank, a barge dominates both nearby fishing boats and the suburban inhabitants who walk along the towpath. A distant glimpse of the Paris-Lyons railroad viaduct traverses the horizon line, registering the modern industry that increasingly marked the French landscape.