Wind, Rain and Sunshine 1845

Editor: This is "Wind, Rain and Sunshine," painted in 1845 by David Cox, using oil paint. It’s incredibly evocative! The way he captured the fleeting weather is just beautiful and you can feel the vastness of the landscape. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: Cox's landscape paintings, including this one, occupy an important place in British art history. He made it *en plein air*. To think that he had the confidence to tackle the weather, the light right there, at that moment. It's a testament to the changing attitude towards the public's appetite for seeing art documenting the immediate effects of nature’s force in the mid-19th century. Why do you think paintings like this became so popular? Editor: Was it about accessibility? Was art leaving behind historical and mythological themes, becoming more focused on everyday life and landscapes? Curator: Precisely! Think about the broader context. The rise of the middle class, the development of industrial cities. These factors contributed to a new audience, one with more leisure time and a desire to connect with nature, even vicariously. Art galleries also were developing, thus becoming more readily accessible to larger demographics. This romanticized view offered a respite from urban life. Do you see anything in the way he depicts this that resonates with those ideas? Editor: Definitely. The horse and rider are so small, they're dwarfed by the sky. It emphasizes how expansive and powerful nature can be compared to individuals. It does look both ordinary and calming, yet a little daunting. Curator: Yes! Cox is commenting on nature's force as sublime, beyond man's measure or control, fitting nicely within Romantic landscape conventions. Editor: I had never really thought of the social implications for why landscape paintings became popular, especially the representation of nature, but I’m finding I appreciate this artwork a whole lot more. Curator: And seeing it within a social context allows a much deeper insight into both its meaning and appeal!