Who painted Hurricane (L'ouragan)?

Hurricane (L'ouragan) was painted by Alphonse Legros in 1874.

Where can I see Hurricane (L'ouragan)?

Hurricane (L'ouragan) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Hurricane (L'ouragan)?

Hurricane (L'ouragan) is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Hurricane (L'ouragan)

Alphonse Legros , 1874

Hurricane (L'ouragan) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Alphonse Legros. It dates from 1874 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Alphonse Legros produced the etching *Hurricane (L'ouragan)* in 1874. Executed on a metal plate and printed in ink, the work captures a violent nocturnal storm, centered on a solitary figure clutching a branch beneath a twisted tree. The composition emphasizes the turbulence of wind and cloud, rendering a moment of elemental force.

Subject & Meaning

The image presents a lone individual confronting a tempest, their cloak and hair billowing as gusts tear through the surrounding foliage. The figure’s grip on a stick suggests a desperate attempt to anchor themselves against the chaotic elements, evoking themes of human vulnerability and resilience amid nature’s power.

Technique & Style

Legros employs incisive, linear incisions to delineate the movement of wind across fabric, foliage, and terrain. The stark contrasts between deep shadows and bright highlights convey the storm’s darkness, while the precise rendering of tangled roots and rolling waves creates a tactile sense of texture within the print medium.

History & Provenance

Born in France and later establishing his career in Britain, Legros was instrumental in revitalising the British etching tradition. *Hurricane* was produced during his period as both a practicing artist and an influential teacher, reflecting his commitment to the medium’s technical possibilities.

Context

The work aligns with mid‑19th‑century interests in dramatic natural scenes and the Romantic fascination with the sublime. Its emphasis on atmospheric turbulence mirrors contemporary literary and artistic explorations of nature’s overwhelming force, situating Legros within broader European trends toward expressive realism.