Artwork

After the Storm

After the Storm, by Antoine Vollon, oil, 1889
After the Storm, by Antoine Vollon, oil, 1889

After the Storm is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Antoine Vollon. It dates from 1889 and is held in the collection of the Brooklyn Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1889, *After the Storm* is an oil painting by French realist Antoine Vollon. The work portrays a solitary farmhouse set against a brooding sky, its red roof and chimney standing out amid surrounding trees and a winding dirt path. The composition captures a moment of calm following inclement weather, emphasizing the quiet resilience of rural architecture.

Subject & Meaning

The central focus is a modest farmhouse rendered after a recent tempest, suggesting themes of recovery and endurance.

The central focus is a modest farmhouse rendered after a recent tempest, suggesting themes of recovery and endurance. The dark, cloud‑filled heavens contrast with the illuminated structure, implying a return to stability. Peripheral vegetation and the path hint at the everyday life that continues despite nature’s disruptions, inviting contemplation of the relationship between human habitations and the elements.

Technique & Style

Vollon employs a realist approach enriched by Impressionist sensibilities, using oil pigments to achieve nuanced tonal shifts. A pronounced chiaroscuro model gives depth: the farmhouse is bathed in light while the surrounding foliage recedes into shadow. Brushwork remains precise, yet the handling of atmosphere and light conveys a fleeting, weather‑laden moment typical of late‑19th‑century French painting.

History & Provenance

Antoine Vollon (1833–1900) was celebrated in his lifetime, often described as a “painter’s painter” for his technical skill. *After the Storm* entered the Brooklyn Museum’s collection, where it remains on view. Although Vollon enjoyed contemporary acclaim, modern scholarship suggests his contributions to French art have been insufficiently examined, prompting renewed interest in works such as this.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Antoine Vollon

Artist

Antoine Vollon

Antoine Vollon (23 April 1833 – 27 August 1900) was a French realist artist, best known as a painter of still lifes, landscapes, and figures.

Brooklyn Museum

Museum

Brooklyn Museum

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Brooklyn Museum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.