Approaching Storm - Edward Mitchell Bannister

Edward Mitchell Bannister's 'Approaching Storm' captures the atmospheric tension of a landscape under a stormy sky. The tonalist painting features muted colours and expressive brushwork, creating a sense of movement and impending weather.

Edward Mitchell Bannister (1828-1901) was an African-American artist known for his atmospheric tonalist paintings. Born in Canada, he spent most of his career in New England, becoming a prominent member of the Boston art scene and co-founding the Providence Art Club. Bannister's work often depicts serene, pastoral scenes, reflecting his deep connection to nature. He achieved significant recognition during his lifetime, including a bronze medal at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. His work is now held in many American museum collections. 'Approaching Storm' exemplifies Bannister's tonalist style, characterised by soft, muted colours and a focus on capturing the mood of the scene. The painting depicts a figure walking along a path in a field, with a copse of trees to the right. The sky is filled with dark, ominous clouds, suggesting an impending storm. The colour palette is dominated by greens and browns, with touches of grey and purple in the sky. The brushwork is loose and expressive, creating a sense of movement and atmosphere. The composition is carefully balanced, with the figure and the trees providing a sense of scale and perspective.