Stormy Weather 1845

Charles François Daubigny created this print, ‘Stormy Weather,’ using etching techniques. The landscape depicted has a strong horizontal emphasis, which is enhanced by the turbulent sky and bending trees that dominate the scene. These elements contribute to the print's dynamic and atmospheric quality. Daubigny was part of the Barbizon School, who were focused on painting en plein air. He developed his style to capture the transient effects of light and atmosphere through his formal explorations of natural landscapes. The composition uses contrasting tones to evoke a sense of drama. The dark, dense clusters of trees are set against the lighter, windswept sky, which creates a visual tension. The blurred lines and smudged textures contribute to the feeling of movement and instability, suggestive of the overwhelming power of nature. The artist used the formal properties of etching to represent the raw energy of a storm, which reflects broader themes of Romanticism and Realism. Daubigny pushes beyond simple representation and captures the sublime, where nature is simultaneously beautiful and chaotic.