Sisley: Snow at Louveciennes

     Because of the great reflecting properties of white, snowscapes were of special interest to the Impressionists. Sisley accounted for many of them. This painting recalls certain snow scenes by Japanese artist Hiroshige, and is probably influenced by Japanese prints. However, the bright colors of the houses, in relatively wide, perpendicular brushstrokes, are more familiar to Impressionism than to Japanese art.
     Interestingly, Japanese prints typically depict houses and foliage in black, white, or brown and the people and animals in color. In contrast, Sisley makes the trees green and the houses paste, while the people are underemphasized, and in black.