Approaching Storm 1886

Edward Mitchell Bannister created this landscape, "Approaching Storm," using oil paint, a material that allows for rich color and texture. Bannister applied the paint in thick, visible strokes, a technique known as impasto, giving the scene a sense of immediacy and movement. Notice the sky, turbulent with dark clouds rendered with sweeping brushstrokes. The heaviness of the paint mirrors the weight of the impending storm. Below, the landscape is painted with equal vigor, the lush greens and browns applied in layers, creating a sense of depth and vitality. Look at the solitary figure hurrying across the field. Bannister's technique captures the urgency and raw beauty of nature. Bannister’s embrace of landscape painting connects him to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. The painting process itself, with its physical demands and artistic skill, speaks to the value of work and the artist’s engagement with the world. Considering materials, making, and context reveals the full meaning of Bannister's artwork, challenging the divide between fine art and craft.