Approaching Storm 

Albert Bierstadt painted Approaching Storm using oil on paper. Here, we see nature as a powerful, almost divine force. Note the dramatic contrast between the sunlit mountains and the ominous, dark clouds. In paintings throughout time, light has commonly symbolized enlightenment, divinity, and hope, while darkness represents chaos, ignorance, and despair. This symbolism transcends individual cultures, appearing from Renaissance paintings to Romantic landscapes. Consider Caspar David Friedrich’s work, where nature evokes spiritual awe, or even earlier, the sublime storms depicted by Joseph Mallord William Turner. These artists, like Bierstadt, tap into a primal fear and respect for the untamed elements. The approaching storm speaks to our shared human experience, reminding us of our vulnerability. The human psyche has a powerful memory, and recurring symbols like the storm engage us on a subconscious level, evoking a sense of foreboding and humility. The interplay of light and dark—a symbol of life's ever-present tensions—continues to echo through artistic expressions to this day.