Geese and the Approaching Storm 1879

Félix Bracquemond created this graphite drawing called "Geese and the Approaching Storm". The image presents a group of geese in a field, seemingly unconcerned by the ominous storm clouds gathering overhead. This work can be seen within the context of 19th-century France, a time of significant social and economic change. The image is likely commenting on the relationship between nature and rural society, but perhaps also on the new place of art institutions. Consider the rise of the Impressionists and the development of new exhibition spaces outside of the Salon system. Did the artist create this drawing for public consumption? Was it to be sold, or bartered? To fully understand this drawing, the historian can research the agricultural practices of the time, study the art market, and examine the role of animals in rural life. Art, when examined through this multifaceted lens, reveals the complex interplay between culture, institutions, and individual expression.