Artwork
The Storm
The Storm is an oil painting by the Barbizon school artist Narcisse Virgilio Díaz. It dates from 1872 and is held in the collection of the Walters Art Museum.
About this work
Overview
Narcisse Virgilio Díaz’s oil painting The Storm, executed in 1872, is part of the collection at the Walters Art Museum. The work presents a turbulent landscape dominated by a brooding sky and wind‑tossed vegetation, conveying a palpable sense of atmospheric unrest.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas captures a tempestuous scene in which dense, grey clouds swirl overhead while trees and shrubs in the foreground bend under the force of the wind. The composition emphasizes the raw power of nature, inviting viewers to contemplate the fleeting, often violent moods of the natural world.
Technique & Style
Díaz employs a palette of deep, muted tones and applies paint with vigorous, gestural brushwork that accentuates the movement of clouds and foliage. The thick application of oil creates a textured surface, reinforcing the visual impression of swirling air and the weight of the storm‑laden sky.
History & Provenance
Created toward the end of Díaz’s career, The Storm entered the Walters Art Museum’s holdings through acquisition in the early 20th century. Its presence in the museum’s collection reflects the institution’s interest in 19th‑century French landscape painting and the artist’s reputation for dramatic natural scenes.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Narcisse Virgilio Díaz (1807–1876) was a French artist, born in Bordeaux.
