Art: Peder Balke and stormy weather

[baleanoptera]

This all started after a comment by schionatulander about how European Art is usually seen just as Italian, French, German and British art - with a few artists from other European countries thrown in for good measure. It's sad that this is the norm, as it all helps create a very narrow (and IMO very boring)Art Historical canon

Comments

[winterspel]

These paintings are beautiful and haunting, somehow.

But due to the exaggeration I find that Balke's images of nature are not so much a depiction of a certain landscape, but more a depiction of a certain worldview where in nature was something wild, chaotic and nearly divine.

I like this, in which the painting demonstrates less truth in nature but more the truth of the artist.

Thank you so much for sharing these images and for the art lesson! I very much appreciate it.

[baleanoptera]

I find them haunting too - and to be honest a bit disturbing. The nature shown here is so violent and chaotic that it borders on the hostile. I think the hostility is furthered by the lack of people - both as identification points and as scale-markers. For instance we have no idea how large the mountain in "Stetind" is - as we have nothing to reference it by. I feel that adds to the paintings uneasiness. If that makes sense?

And yes, in the end the paintings do say more about the artist than nature - but that is the wonderful thing about art. It always comes back to humans and our flawed and fascinating character.

So glad to hear you liked it! :)

[semyaza]

That last one is absolutely gorgeous. My mother finds the Northern Lights frightening and would appreciate the eerie quality of the picture.

I don't like Van Gogh either. Thought I was the only one.

[baleanoptera]

The last one is my clear favourite - specifically for combining the eerie with the beautiful in regards to the Northern lights. (Which I find a little frightening too, so I can understand you mother there.)

No, not the only one. ;) But I always feel strange saying it aloud - as he is one of the Great Artists etc. But his paintings just leave me strangely uninterested

[sunnyskywalker]

I am in awe of these paintings. "Gorgeous" doesn't begin to cover it. Storm over Vardøhus fortress kind of reminds me of the setting in Wuthering Heights with its vast, brooding wildness, and Northern Lights is what I imagine it looks like out beyond the Wall. All it needs is a weirwood :D

[baleanoptera]

Wuthering Heights is a good comparison. They have similar sentiments in regards to nature. Also, while both are entertaining and I enjoy reading/watching them I'm very glad I don't live in their world. ;)

Northern Lights is what I imagine it looks like out beyond the Wall.

Hee! I've had the same idea. In fact whenever Martin describes Wildling music I keep thinking it must sound something like Nordic folk music.

[baleanoptera]

Hee! yes, he's pretty much the poster-child for Romanticism's version of sublime isn't he?
I must admit I have a soft spot for art that tosses away subtlety and goes all: "La! Here is DRAMA!" Which would explain where my love for Romanticism comes from. ;)

But to be honest I wouldn't want him on my wall at home.

[alexandral]

I really like his art - the style seems to be really interesting, he paints Earth as if it is alive!

[baleanoptera]

he paints Earth as if it is alive!

He does, doesn't he? And it's all very disturbing and chaotic- but I do like it very much. So much drama and you can almost feel the stormy winds.