Lost Canvases Of The 1860’s and The Impressionist Palette
Impressionist Palette of 'The Footbridge’ c1867
The riverbank has areas of peach-ochre and orange. The bright effect continues with light greens and browns. The pathway also has a peach-ochre with touches of orange. Meandering into the woods atmospheric 'blue hues’, the pathway has touches of blue. The extensive use of white heightens the color palette.
The brushstrokes are applied quickly capturing the vibrancy of the figure approaching the bridge. Small circular brushstrokes in white, single out the light on the pathway.
(see page: Nuance of Brushstroke 'Sous Bois’)
If correctly dated (1) 'The Footbridge’ is possibly the earliest example of the Impressionist color palette and brushstroke – technique in French Impressionism. Profoundly relevant to questions about their emergence in the art movement.
LOST CANVASES
Sisley and Camille Pissarro lost paintings from the 1860’s due to the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871). A period renowned for their artistic collaboration and experimentation, including Monet Renoir Bazille (2).
Bougival and Louvencienne Residences
Prussian troops commandeered properties at the start of the siege of Paris.
Sisley reminiscences to Adolphe Tavernier about 'losing all that I possessed at Bougival during the war and taking refuge in Paris, I returned to the same area, to Louveciennes in 1872′ (3)
Pissarro left for England and there are biographical details about the ransacking of 22 route de Versailles.1,500 canvases are cited as lost from Pissarro’s residence.
(1) John Rewald (Impressionist Scholar) dated the work c1867. Research Page 'The Footbridge’ Monogram highlights the initials of the monogram are comparable with the signature on 'Village Street in Marlotte’ 1866
(2) Place names – Forest of Fontainebleau, Marlotte, Chailly, Barbizon, Bougival Louvencienne.
(3) Letter of 19th January 1892 to Adolphe Tavernier (1853-1945 French writer and Art Critic) Fondation Custodia (F.Lugt coll.) Institut Neerlandais, Paris,1973-A1) Quoted in R.Shone Sisley London 1992