Storm was painted by Alphonse Legros in 1874.

Where can I see Storm?

Storm is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Storm?

Storm is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Storm

Alphonse Legros , 1874

Storm is an ink drawing 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 drawing Storm in 1874. Executed in watercolor applied over pen and brown ink, the work presents a brooding landscape dominated by a heavy sky. The composition balances a distant, partially concealed building with a foreground of rocky ground and tangled vegetation, rendered in muted earth tones that convey a sense of atmospheric tension.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts a landscape caught in inclement weather, where thick, pale clouds loom over a terrain of brown and green. A small structure perched on a hill is barely visible through trees and mist, suggesting isolation within a volatile natural environment. The overall mood evokes contemplation of nature’s power and the transitory quality of light.

Technique & Style

Legros combined pen work with brown ink to outline forms before applying watercolor washes, allowing the pigment to blend softly across the surface. This method creates a luminous effect on the clouds, as if light filters from behind, while the surrounding ground remains in subdued, blended hues. The approach reflects a Romantic interest in mood and atmospheric effects.

History & Provenance

Born in France and relocating to London in 1863, Legros later naturalized as a British citizen. By the time he executed Storm, he was recognized for his contributions as a painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist, and for his role in revitalising British etching through his teaching. The drawing remains a testament to his engagement with dynamic, weather‑laden subjects.