Artwork

On the Banks of the Loing: The Cart

On the Banks of the Loing: The Cart, by Alfred Sisley, ink, 1890
On the Banks of the Loing: The Cart, by Alfred Sisley, ink, 1890

On the Banks of the Loing: The Cart is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Alfred Sisley. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription
Inscribed:recto: in graphite, at bottom left: quatre eaux fortes de Sisley 3; in graphite, at bottom right: seul / 1 etat; verso: none
Markings
Marked:none

About this work

Overview

Alfred Sisley’s 1890 print On the Banks of the Loing: The Cart is an etching executed on laid paper. The work captures a quiet riverside setting along the Loing, presenting a modest cart, a clump of trees, distant buildings, and a low hill under a muted sky.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a solitary cart positioned near the river’s edge, suggesting everyday rural activity. The surrounding landscape, trees, a gentle rise, and scattered structures, conveys a tranquil atmosphere, emphasizing the artist’s interest in ordinary, natural scenes rather than narrative drama.

Technique & Style

Sisley employed a bitten‑tone etching process, deepening shadows through prolonged acid exposure, and then burnished areas of the plate to achieve subtle highlights. The resulting tonal range on the laid paper creates texture and a soft, atmospheric quality characteristic of his Impressionist approach to light and air.

History & Provenance

Created in the final year of Sisley’s life, the print reflects his consistent focus on plein‑air landscape work, a practice he maintained throughout his career. While primarily known for oil paintings, Sisley produced few prints; this piece remains a rare example of his printmaking output.

On the Banks of the Loing: The Canal Bank
On the Banks of the Loing: The Canal Bank, Alfred Sisley

Artist & collection

Portrait of Alfred Sisley

Artist

Alfred Sisley

Alfred Sisley (; French:; 30 October 1839–29 January 1899) was a French-Born British Impressionist landscape painter who was born to British parents, but spent most of his life in France.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted On the Banks of the Loing: The Cart?

On the Banks of the Loing: The Cart was painted by Alfred Sisley in 1890.

Where can I see On the Banks of the Loing: The Cart?

On the Banks of the Loing: The Cart is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is On the Banks of the Loing: The Cart?

On the Banks of the Loing: The Cart is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of On the Banks of the Loing: The Cart?

Museum-quality prints of On the Banks of the Loing: The Cart are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.