The Coming Storm 1916

Curator: Before us hangs George Bellows's "The Coming Storm," completed in 1916. Bellows worked primarily in oil paint, and here he has used a plein-air style to render this dramatic scene. Editor: Immediately, the contrast between the bright foreground and the looming darkness of the storm cloud captures my attention. There's a real sense of impending drama built into the composition. Curator: It’s tempting to analyze the painting in terms of Bellows’ engagement with the art market. Consider the pressures to produce landscapes alongside his social realism paintings, a different form of labor catering to a specific clientele. Editor: While I appreciate that perspective, my first reaction is drawn to the skillful deployment of impasto, giving the painting a tangible texture and depth. The light seems to catch and dance across the canvas, doesn't it? Look at the almost sculptural quality of the clouds! Curator: The materiality really conveys the heavy atmosphere that speaks to the rapid industrialization that defines the relationship with the landscape. The tools and techniques employed had to capture a very distinct period of societal transformation. Editor: Certainly, one could read the approaching storm as a metaphor, but aesthetically, I'm struck by how Bellows uses color. Notice how the verdant greens and warm browns of the foreground subtly shift into the cool blues and grays of the tempestuous sky. Curator: Speaking of color, Bellows's sourcing and purchasing of those pigments reflects broader consumer culture. The materials available to him, and the very act of transforming them into art, ties the artwork to a web of economic and social practices. The rise of industrialized production certainly shaped the availability and nature of painting supplies. Editor: Agreed, and the dynamic brushstrokes certainly add movement and intensity, mirroring the turbulent scene he’s depicting. There is a palpable sense of the raw power and force inherent in the natural world. Curator: Considering the social context and art market helps unpack his process more critically. Thanks for focusing in on what shapes his output. Editor: Likewise, thinking about structure offers insight into a captivating scene on canvas.