Storm Clouds 1835

This painting, Storm Clouds, was made by Johan Christian Dahl with oil paint, likely on canvas or a wooden panel. The appearance of the clouds, painted with thick impasto and visible brushstrokes, is influenced by the physical qualities of the paint itself. The artist skillfully layered and blended the pigments to create a sense of depth and movement. The tonal contrasts between the dark storm clouds and the lighter sky create a sense of drama and tension. Dahl was part of a larger tradition of landscape painting, and the making of paints involved the labor of those who mined the raw materials from the earth, as well as those who ground and mixed the pigments with oil. His engagement with materials, making, and context underscores the relationship between art and social life, challenging conventional distinctions between fine art and craft.