Artwork
Thunder Storm (Temps d'orage)
Thunder Storm (Temps d'orage) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Théophile Alexandre Steinlen. It dates from 1891 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1891, *Thunder Storm (Temps d'orage)* is a print by Théophile Alexandre Steinlen, a French artist of Swiss origin linked to the Art Nouveau movement. Executed through a combination of etching and drypoint, the work depicts a solitary figure navigating a rain‑soaked road beneath a heavy, overcast sky.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a lone traveler, hat tipped and a sack slung over his shoulder, moving away from a modest dwelling on the right side of the path. The oppressive clouds and falling rain amplify a sense of isolation and the relentless forces of nature, echoing Steinlen’s interest in everyday social realities.
Technique & Style
Steinlen employed traditional intaglio methods, using etched lines for broader tonal fields and drypoint for the finer, velvety strokes that render the storm‑laden atmosphere. The print’s realistic rendering emphasizes texture—the roughness of the road, the bark of distant trees—while a predominance of dark hues conveys the bleak weather.
History & Provenance
The print emerged during a period when Steinlen was actively contributing to anarchist and socialist periodicals, integrating his political concerns with visual art. Though originally intended for limited edition circulation, the work later entered museum collections, illustrating the artist’s broader engagement with socially charged subject matter.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Théophile Alexandre Steinlen (November 10, 1859 – December 13, 1923), was a Swiss-born French Art Nouveau painter and printmaker. He was politically engaged and collaborated with the anarchist and socialist press.
