After the Storm c. 19th century

John Francis Murphy rendered "After the Storm" using oil on canvas sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. As an Irish immigrant, Murphy understood the value of the American landscape. He devoted his artistic career to capturing its beauty and ephemerality. In this painting, Murphy departs from traditional, idealized landscapes, instead presenting an image of nature marked by change and resilience. The dark foreground, punctuated by sparse vegetation, leads to a horizon where light breaks through the receding storm clouds. A glimpse of hope appears in the aftermath of turmoil. Murphy’s aesthetic choice creates a poignant sense of longing. The subdued palette and the solitary figures in the distance evoke feelings of solitude. The image invites you to meditate on the cyclical nature of life, where hardship and renewal coexist. "After the Storm" reflects our enduring search for solace and beauty in the face of adversity.