The painting “Drying Nets” (1872) is one of the early works of the French impressionist Alfred Sisley. Or rather, the early style of his execution. For it still contains clear motifs of the Barbizon school of painting. The viewer’s attention is still focused on the contextual and plot basis instead of working with an instant impression resulting from contemplating a beautiful landscape. And although Sisley’s brushstrokes are already “impressionist” intermittent and laconic, “breaking” into uniform shading only where it was necessary to depict water and skies, a respectful narrative “curtsey” towards the theme of rural life, the natal uniqueness of nature and architecture, atmospheric phenomena – still has a place to be.

This is already impressionism, of course. But impressionism is still a little timid, looking back at the experience of its predecessors, ready to compromise in terms of execution and presentation. What a pity that only a few works by this remarkable master, painted in the 60s of the century before last, have survived to this day. It would be interesting to trace the history of maestro Sisley’s “parting” with the previous postulates of landscape painting for the sake of a stochastic, unpredictably impetuous direction of instant emotion and impetuous, “dance” movement of the brush… But then, why regret the impossible? Let’s just admire this wonderful painting, dear reader. Honestly, it deserves your attention regardless of the degree to which it represents His Majesty Impressionism.