Uvejrslandskab 1760 - 1802

Jens Juel captured this stormy landscape on canvas with oil paints sometime in the late 18th century. Oil paint is wonderful for rendering texture and depth, and Juel makes the most of these qualities to create an immersive scene. Notice how the thick application of paint mimics the roughness of the craggy path and the swirling of the tempestuous sky. With a limited palette, Juel masterfully captures a sense of foreboding and raw nature. The work here embodies a well established tradition of landscape painting, requiring years of dedicated studio practice. But, the artist is also recording the hard work of the peasant labourer, stooped under their burden in difficult conditions. Ultimately, Juel's "Stormy Landscape" reminds us that even a seemingly straightforward painting involves a complex interplay of materials, making, and social context. It invites us to reflect on the value of both artistic skill and manual labor, blurring the lines between high art and the everyday experience.