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.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower right: A. Legros

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.