Molesey Weir, Hampton Court
About this artwork
Sisley enjoyed painting water and here captured splendidly the spume and spray of the river as it slides over the foreground weir or gushes through the barrier beyond. The weir breaks the flow of the River Thames to create a floating basin and to direct water into Molesey Lock. Sisley depicted the view upstream from Hampton Court Bridge, to the west of London, with Ash Island and the northern bank of the Thames beyond. The group of bathers included at the left provides human interest and a sense of scale, while blending perfectly with the river scene.
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Updated before 2020
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artist:Alfred Sisley (1839 - 1899) French
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title:Molesey Weir, Hampton Court
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date created:1874
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materials:Oil on canvas
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measurements:51.50 x 69.00 cm; Framed: 74.90 x 92.70 x 10.50 cm
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object type:
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credit line:Presented by Sir Alexander Maitland in memory of his wife Rosalind 1960
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accession number:NG 2235
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gallery:
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subject:
Alfred Sisley
Alfred Sisley
Sisley was one of the most consistent of Impressionist painters, concentrating almost exclusively on landscapes. He was born in Paris to Anglo-French parents and sent to London to train for the family business. His family, however, supported his decision to paint. In 1863 he entered Gleyre's studio...