Stormy Sea 1870

Peder Balke painted this oil on paper titled 'Stormy Sea' sometime in the 19th century. Balke was Norwegian and during this period Norway was developing a sense of national identity, seeking to separate itself from both Denmark and Sweden. Artists, writers, and scholars looked to Norway’s distinctive geography for inspiration. We see this romantic nationalism in Balke’s dramatic rendering of the Nordic Sea, and in his use of stark contrasts to convey the sublime power of nature. Balke spent much of his career struggling to gain recognition from the art establishment. His work was often considered too modern or unconventional. It wasn't until much later that his art gained acceptance. His paintings weren't just landscapes; they were assertions of a unique Norwegian identity, challenging the dominance of foreign artistic traditions. To truly understand this painting, we have to dig into Norwegian history. We need to explore the art institutions of the time, the prevailing aesthetic tastes, and the political currents that shaped Balke's world. By doing this, we reveal the complex interplay between art, society, and national identity.