Sahurs Meadows in Morning Sun

About this artwork

Step into the glowing embrace of Alfred Sisley'sSahurs Meadows in Morning* (1894), a captivating oil on canvas that exemplifies the Impressionist master's devotion to nature's fleeting beauty. Sisley, a British-born French artist and core member of the Impressionist movement painted this serene landscape en plein air near the Seine River village of Sahurs, Normandy At 28 3/4 x 36 1/4 inches, it invites viewers to wander sun-dappled meadows, where the early morning light transforms ordinary fields into a symphony of soft golds, greens, and blues. Sisley's technique shines through his signature loose brushstrokes and emphasis on atmospheric effects, prioritizing the play of sunlight over precise details—a hallmark of Impressionism. This work, created late in his career, reflects his lifelong passion for unembellished rural scenes, capturing the ephemeral quality of dawn that drew Impressionists to challenge academic traditions. Now a treasured gift to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Paintings department (1991), it offers a peaceful respite, reminding us of nature's quiet poetry amid the 19th-century push toward modernity.