Artwork
Young Woman Overtaken by a Storm
Young Woman Overtaken by a Storm is an oil painting by Féréol Bonnemaison. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the Brooklyn Museum.
About this work
Overview
Young Woman Overtaken by a Storm is a 1799 oil painting by French artist Féréol Bonnemaison, depicting a young woman caught in a storm, clad in translucent, wind-blown attire, set against a dark, turbulent background.
Subject & Meaning
The painting allegorically references the chaotic aftermath of the French Revolution, symbolized by the woman's vulnerability to the storm. This interpretation is contextualized by Bonnemaison's personal experience of exile during the Reign of Terror.
Technique & Style
Executed in a Gothic, Romantic style, contrasting with the prevailing Neoclassicism of the time, the painting utilizes chiaroscuro to create depth and contrast, emphasizing the dramatic turmoil of the scene.
History & Provenance
First exhibited at the 1799 Salon in the Louvre, Paris, the painting is now part of the collection at the Brooklyn Museum in New York City.
Artist & collection
Artist
Féréol Bonnemaison (8 February 1766 – 22 August 1827) was a French portrait painter, lithographer, restorer, and art dealer.
