Alfred Sisley’s “The Chemin de By through Woods at Rouches Courtaut, St. Martin’s, Summer” is an oil on canvas painting completed in 1881, reflecting the Impressionist movement. Measuring 59.2 x 81 cm, this landscape captures a serene, natural scene and is housed at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) in Montreal, Canada.
The painting depicts a lush countryside scene during summer. A path, likely the Chemin de By, meanders through the sun-dappled woods at Rouches Courtaut, leading the eye towards a calm river that extends into the background. The riverbank is lined with tall, thin trees on the far side, which are lightly reflected in the water, creating a feeling of tranquility and harmony with nature. Sisley employs a light, effervescent palette to articulate the foliage, the reflections on the water, and the soft sky, capturing the gentle play of light with quick, textured brushstrokes that convey the atmospheric conditions of a warm summer day. The absence of human figures and the serene setting evoke a sense of peacefulness and the timeless beauty of nature.
