Opkomende Storm before 1833

Johannes Adrianus van der Drift created this work, entitled ‘Opkomende Storm’, using etching. The approaching storm, with its heavy clouds and wind-blown trees, symbolizes not just a change in weather but a shift in mood, a transition from calm to turmoil. The motif of the storm, a classical allegory for emotional and societal upheaval, has roots stretching back to ancient art and literature. Think of the tempestuous seas in Homer’s ‘Odyssey’, or the violent skies in Renaissance paintings depicting biblical scenes. The rushing horses here become emblematic of this chaos, mirroring the panic and urgency that often accompany great change. The 'pathos formula' of fleeing figures, seen in the small group of travelers, evokes deep psychological responses, tapping into our primal fears and anxieties about the unpredictable nature of life. It is a potent symbol, ever-evolving, yet always returning to its origins in the human psyche.