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No, this artwork is in the public domain.

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Quick Facts

Location: High Museum of Art, Atlanta
Title: The Passing Storm
Subject or theme: Stormy countryside landscape
Artist: George Inness
Year: 1892
Notable elements: Dark clouds, trees, and birds

Collectible Description

The High Museum of Art in Atlanta, United States, is home to a stunning oil on canvas painting titled The Passing Storm by George Inness. Created in 1892, this beautiful piece of art showcases the artist's ability to capture the essence of nature. The painting depicts a stormy day in the countryside, with dark clouds filling the sky and trees providing depth and contrast to the scene.

Composition and Style

The overall composition of The Passing Storm is well-balanced, with the dark clouds and trees creating a strong focal point in the center of the image. The presence of birds adds life and movement to the painting, with some flying in the sky and others perched on branches or structures within the landscape. This sense of tranquility amidst the stormy weather is a hallmark of George Inness's style, which often featured landscapes that were both serene and dramatic. Key Features of the painting include:

The use of oil on canvas to create a rich and textured finish
The depiction of birds in various poses, adding movement and energy to the scene
The balance of light and dark colors, creating a sense of depth and contrast

For more information on George Inness and his works, visit The Passing Storm page on TopImpressionists.com. The High Museum of Art also features other notable works, including pieces by Alexandre Roux and Edmonia Lewis, which can be found on the museum's website or through TopImpressionists.com.
The High Museum of Art is part of a larger collection of art institutions in Atlanta, including the Robert W. Woodruff Library, which features an extensive collection of art and artifacts. For more information on these institutions and their collections, visit the Wikipedia page on the High Museum of Art.

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Artist Biography

George Inness (1825–1894): The Quiet Observer of Nature’s Soul

George Inness, born in Newburgh, New York, in 1825, stands as a pivotal figure in American Impressionism—a movement that sought to capture fleeting moments of beauty and emotion through luminous color palettes and loose brushstrokes. Unlike the grand narratives championed by the Hudson River School, Inness’s artistic vision prioritized introspection and spiritual contemplation, reflecting his profound engagement with philosophical ideas. This dedication resulted in landscapes imbued with a palpable serenity, portraying rural scenes and animal life with remarkable sensitivity to light and atmosphere. His legacy continues to inspire artists today who strive for similar expressive depth.

Early Life & Education: Inness’s formative years were marked by exposure to Transcendentalist thinkers like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, whose emphasis on intuition and connection with the natural world profoundly shaped his artistic sensibilities. He pursued formal training at Yale University before embarking on a self-directed study of art in Paris during the mid-1850s—a crucial period for absorbing Impressionistic techniques.
Parisian Influences & Artistic Development: In Paris, Inness immersed himself in the burgeoning Impressionist movement, studying under Gustave Courbet and Jean-François Millet. These encounters solidified his commitment to capturing immediate visual sensations rather than meticulously recreating reality. He experimented with plein air painting—working outdoors directly from nature—developing a distinctive style characterized by subtle gradations of color and textured brushwork.
Notable Landscapes & Paintings: Inness’s oeuvre comprises numerous iconic landscapes that exemplify the movement's aesthetic principles. Works such as “The Dark Side of Twilight” (1869) and “Winter Landscape” (1873) are celebrated for their masterful depiction of atmospheric conditions—particularly mist and snow—and their ability to evoke a sense of profound stillness. His portraits, too, reveal an artist’s keen observation of human psychology.
Symbolism & Spiritual Vision: Beyond mere visual representation, Inness's paintings convey deeper symbolic meanings rooted in his philosophical convictions. Recurring motifs—such as trees and animals—represent resilience, harmony, and the interconnectedness of all living things. His canvases are not simply landscapes; they are meditations on the sublime beauty of nature and its capacity to inspire spiritual awareness.
Legacy & Historical Significance: George Inness’s contribution to American art is undeniable. He championed a humanist aesthetic that prioritized emotional resonance over technical virtuosity—a stance that distinguished him from his contemporaries and cemented his place as one of the foremost Impressionist painters of his time. His influence extends beyond painting, inspiring subsequent generations of artists to explore themes of contemplation and connection with the natural world.

Source: The Metropolitan Museum of Art

george innes

1825 - 1894 , United States of America

Quick Facts

Artistic Movement Or Style: American Impressionism
Artists Or Movements Influenced By This Artist: ['Impressionism']
Artists Who Influenced This Artist: ['Hudson River School']
Date Of Birth: 1825
Full Name: George Inness
Nationality: American
Notable Artworks:
- The Black Swan
- A Bit of Roman Aqueduct
- Summer Days
Place Of Birth: Newburgh, New York, United States

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