The Storm 1861

James McNeill Whistler made this etching, "The Storm", in 1861. The striking depiction of weather hints at the social context of 19th century Europe. A peasant struggles against the wind, emphasizing the vulnerability of rural workers to the whims of nature. Consider the period: Industrialization was rapidly changing European society. Rural populations migrated to cities, and traditional ways of life were disrupted. Whistler, as an American artist working in Europe, was part of a growing international art scene. The etching's focus on the struggles of the working class reflects a broader interest in social realism among artists of the time. The sketch-like quality also points to a rejection of academic artistic norms, as artists pushed against institutional standards. To understand "The Storm" fully, historians might consult sources like social surveys from the time, studies of land use, and even meteorological records. Art isn't made in a vacuum; it reflects the complex interplay of social forces.