Boulevard Héloïse, Argenteuil

early 1870s

Moves with his family to Voisins near Louveciennes

After the Franco-Prussian War, in the early 1870s, Sisley settled with his family in Voisins, next to the town of Louveciennes, west of Paris.

1870

The war destroys his studio in Bougival

Sisley's studio in Bougival was destroyed at the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War.

1870–1871

The war ruins his father: family support ends

The outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War had a calamitous effect on William Sisley's trading business, and the remittances Sisley had lived on came to an abrupt end; his relatives also shunned him because of Eugénie's humble and unmarried status. His finances remained precarious for the rest of his life, dependent on patrons, friends and the sale of his work.

November 1871

Birth and early death of his son Jacques

In November 1871 the Sisleys' second son, Jacques, was born; he died in infancy.

1873

Co-founder of the Joint-Stock Society of Painters

In 1873 Sisley became one of the founders of the Joint-Stock Society of Painters, which many of the Impressionists joined.

1874

Trip to England with his patron Jean-Baptiste Faure

In 1874, after the First Impressionist Exhibition, Sisley travelled to London with his patron, the opera singer Jean-Baptiste Faure. It was the first of his three visits to Britain.