How Art Changes with the Climate

How Does Art Change with the Climate?  Art, we all know, is a reflection of the life, people, culture, events, and practices of the place and times they belong to. It’s almost unbelievable how art captures even the slightest of these details in a subtle yet discreet manner.

However, have you ever wondered how the climate can also influence art? Have you ever noticed how various pieces of art reflect the prevailing climatic conditions of the place, and together they capture the climatic changes that have occurred over some time?

Climate influences and changes art, and the sheer number of climate-themed paintings that have been produced over the decades, is a testimony to the fact. In this article, we take you on a ride of some of the most prominent works of art that have an underlying climatic theme to them.

The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai

The Great Wave off Kanagawa is also widely famous as “Under the Wave off Kanagawa” or “The Wave”, is one of the epitomes of how the climate and geographical features of a place can change art.

The painting is the first edition of a series of thirty-six paintings depicting different views of Mount Fuji, painted by famous Japanese ukiyo-e artist Hokusai. This painting was published during the period 1829 and 1833. It is also considered one of the most prominent and recognizable works of art in Japanese art culture.

One of the most striking features of the painting is the accuracy with which it captures the prevailing climatic conditions around Mount Fuji. The painting depicts a huge wave about to ride over three boats and their riders in most of its foreground. In the background is Mount Fuji looking tiny from the distance.

The Hunters in the Snow (Winter) 1565 by Pieter the Elder Bruegel

The Hunters in the Snow, also famously referred to as “The Return of the Hunters”, is an oil-in-wood painting that dates back to the 16the century. The painting was conceived by the Dutch painter Pieter Bruegel the Elder in the year 1565.

The scene depicted in the painting is that of an extremely snowy winter climate in the months of December and January. More importantly, the painting seems to be influenced by the work-life and routine of the inhabitants in the turbulent winter climate. In the foreground, one can see a small group of hunters along with their dogs, returning after a day-long of work. In the background is a mass enjoying skating over a frozen pond.

Snow Storm- Steam-Boat off a Harbour’s Mouth by Joseph Mallord William Turner

Snow Storm, or Snow Storm: Steam-Boat off a Harbour’s Mouth is a famous and arguably controversial painting by the English artist Joseph Mallord William Turner. An interesting thing about the painting is the origin of its concept and the history associated with it. As the inscription on the painting itself goes, the painting has its roots in the Turner’s own experience when he was caught in a storm on the Night the “Ariel” left Harwich.

However, the controversy around the painting revolves around how sensible or understandable the painting is. According to the painter, the painting is not meant to be understood. However, it is as accurate a depiction as it can be of the real scene of a sea storm – with all the splashes, mist, fear, and the chaos!

Grainstacks at The End of Summer Morning Effect by Claude Oscar Monet

Claude Monet created several paintings around 1889, all based on the same subject – the grain stacks. These were made by enclosing ears of grain with a coating of hay to protect them from the climatic conditions, a practice that was common around that time.

Monet had created around 25 paintings on this subject, depicting different climatic conditions, variations in the atmosphere, lighting, and more. Together, this set of paintings is an interesting piece of information on the climatic conditions of the place, and also an excellent way to see how climate changes art.

The Bottom Line

The climate of a place and time period certainly has the power to bring changes to the kind of art that is being created by the artists. This paintings are living examples of this phenomenon.

The angle of climate and environment, along with the enormous information that they behold, make these paintings extremely interesting and worthy. Having such paintings in your collection and have them adore your walls. Thankfully, recreations of these paintings can be found and procured online. One of the best platforms for the purpose is 1st-art-gallery.

1st-art-gallery is one of the largest online collections of recreated famous paintings from the past and present. You can easily search for the painting you want, place an order, and get it delivered to your place, on your fingertips!

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