Rating and value of works, paintings by Alfred Sisley

If you own a work by or after the artist Alfred Sisley, and would like to know its value, our state-approved experts and auctioneers will offer you their appraisal services. Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your work, and provide you with a precise estimate of its current market value. Then, if you wish to sell your work, we will guide you towards the best possible arrangement to obtain the optimum price.  

Rating and value of the artist Alfred Sisley

Considered one of the most famous Impressionist artists, Sisley leaves behind an artistic identity of his own. This legacy consists mainly of drawings and paintings. Today, prices for his works are skyrocketing under the auctioneers' hammer, and his stock is on the rise. His canvases and other works are particularly prized, especially by American and English buyers, and the price at which they sell on the art market ranges from €20 to €7,546,000, a considerable delta but one that speaks volumes about the value that can be attributed to Sisley's works. In 2017, an oil on canvas entitled Effet de neige à Louvenciennes, and dating from 1874 sold for €7,456,000, a world record for the artist.

Order of value from a simple work to the most prestigious

Style and technique of artist Alfred Sisley   

Sisley was part of the Impressionist movement, using many pastel colors and his canvases are often quite light. He produced oils on canvas, drawings and prints.v

Alfred Sisley, British Impressionism

Alfred Sisley (1839-1899) was an English painter who had a lasting impact on twentieth-century world art and influenced many artists after him.

He was born in Paris, in what is now the 21st arrondissement. His parents were English merchants living in Paris. In 1857, when he was 18, his parents sent him to London to work as a merchant. He devoted little time to this, preferring to study painting in museums, admiring John Constable and William Turner in particular. He then decided to embark on an artistic rather than a commercial career. He took an interest in classical music and was greatly influenced by Beethoven's Septet, which was to influence his painting.

In 1862, he entered the studio of Charles Gleyre, where he frequented Renoir, Monet and Bazille. Disagreeing with Gleyre on his painting techniques, he leaves his studio and joins the Barbizon painters, based in the Fontainebleau forest.

He meets Marie-Louise Lescouezec, with whom he will have several children. His father would not accept this union and disinherited him. Renoir will paint their portrait, Les fiancés. He also frequents Édouard Manet, at meetings between artists the latter organizes.

He exhibits at the 1870 Salon, but his career is disrupted by the Prussian occupation.

In 1874, he founds the Société des artistes anonymes with Degas, Renoir, Pissarro, Monet and Morisot. With them, he participated in many of the Impressionist exhibitions held during this period. He returned to London, thanks to Jean-Baptiste Faure, and helped introduce Impressionism to England.

At the end of his career, Georges Petit became his exclusive gallery owner, but his health declined and he produced less. He continued to exhibit in London, but died in poverty of throat cancer.

Sisley's imprint on his time

Sisley was a prominent member of the Impressionist group, yet his works only became truly successful after his death, when numerous retrospectives and exhibitions were organized.

Today, his works are in high demand and can fetch millions of euros at auction. Some of his work is exhibited in museums, but private collectors play a big part in preserving his work. 

Recognizing the artist's signature 

Sisley sometimes signs his works, mostly at the bottom of the painting, in a color that contrasts with the background. However, there are many copies, which is why expertise is paramount.

Knowing the value of a work 

If you happen to own a work by or after Sisley, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal using our form on our website. A member of our team of experts and certified auctioneers will contact you promptly to provide you with an estimate of the market value of your work, as well as ad hoc information about it. If you are considering selling your work, you will also be accompanied by our specialists in order to benefit from alternatives for selling it at the best possible price, taking into account market inclinations.