Who painted After the Storm?

After the Storm was painted by William Bradford in 1861.

Where can I see After the Storm?

After the Storm is held by Philadelphia Museum of Art.

What movement is After the Storm?

After the Storm is associated with American Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of After the Storm?

Museum-quality prints of After the Storm are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

After the Storm

William Bradford , 1861

After the Storm is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist William Bradford. It dates from 1861 and is held in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Created in 1861, this oil on canvas portrays two vessels caught in a violent sea storm.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1861, this oil on canvas portrays two vessels caught in a violent sea storm. Dark, swirling clouds dominate the sky while the water erupts in white‑capped waves that batter the hulls. A large, multi‑mast ship with torn sails and a smaller, single‑sail boat are shown struggling against the elements, their proximity suggesting a moment of tension and possible assistance.

Subject & Meaning

The composition focuses on the precarious relationship between the two ships, emphasizing humanity’s vulnerability amid nature’s fury. The smaller craft appears poised to aid the larger, damaged vessel, evoking themes of rescue, solidarity, and the perilous reality of 19th‑century seafaring.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil, the painting employs loose brushwork and a muted palette characteristic of American Impressionism, yet retains the romantic emphasis on dramatic atmosphere. The artist captures the movement of water and clouds through layered strokes, allowing light to glint off the cresting waves and convey the immediacy of the storm.

History & Provenance

The work was produced by William Bradford, a Massachusetts‑born painter noted for his maritime subjects. After changing hands through private collections, it entered the holdings of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where it remains part of the institution’s American 19th‑century painting collection.

Context

Bradford’s career combined painting, photography, and exploration, and his focus on sea scenes reflects the broader 19th‑century American fascination with coastal commerce and the sublime power of nature. *After the Storm* aligns with his romanticist roots while also engaging the emerging impressionistic interest in light and atmosphere.

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Artist & collection

Artist

William Bradford

William Bradford (April 30, 1823 – April 25, 1892) was an American romanticist painter, photographer and explorer, originally from Fairhaven, Massachusetts, near New Bedford.

Museum

Philadelphia Museum of Art

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