Rain, storms, and wind: 5 masterpieces of monsoon paintings

The monsoon season brings with it a new sense of hope. The trees begin growing, the leaves are greener, the environment is cooler, and there is just a new life in nature. And the rain, storms, and heavy winds all bring a sense of calm into people. And while some storms can really pose problems, at times, rain can just lift up spaces.
Here are 5 masterpieces of monsoon paintings.

Pierre-Auguste Cot’s ‘The Storm’ is a romantic masterpiece that shows two lovers running away from a rainy area, glued to each other, and using a cloth as a shield.
The couple is shown hurrying away, and on their face is a mix of urgency and mutual adoration for each other. The painting has soft, subtle colours, and a sense of hurry to it as the lovers try to not get wet from the rain but it also gives a feeling of peace and calm as they look into each other’s eyes while running away.
(Image: Pinterest)

Another beautiful monsoon painting is J.M.W. Turner's ‘Rain, Steam, and Speed – The Great Western Railway’. The painting looks kind of blurry as if it were smudged by someone, but actually, when looked at with concentration, one can see a train speeding across the bridge, while there is heavy rain all around.
The way JMW Turner used light, colour, and shadow technique in the painting helps it have a sense of urgency and movement.
(Image: Pinterest)

While not exactly beautiful, but ‘The Storm on the Sea of Galilee’ by Rembrandt is an aesthetically haunting painting from a biblical story. The painting shows the sea engulfed in a turmoil with the small boat losing its balance but Jesus calmly sits down trying to control the forces of the weather.
The apostles are shown in a state of panic and their faces are filled with fear but Christ helps calm everyone down.

(Image: Pinterest)

Vincent van Gogh’s ‘Wheatfield Under Thunderclouds’ was painted in 1890, and shows a glimpse of nature's raw beauty and power. The painting shows a big wheatfield under a dark, scary sky and there are thunderclouds waiting to pour their anger. Van Gogh’s use of dark colours and his classic swirls really give the painting a sense of movement and energy. The golden wheat and green grass on the ground and the dark blue sky above really creates a balance in the painting.
(Image: Pinterest)

A beautiful painting by an Indian artist, SH Raza’s ‘Flora Fountain in Monsoon’ is a capture of the Mumbai rains and the beauty of the city during the rainy season. Painted in Raza’s classic abstract style, this painting shows the iconic Flora Fountain, a historic landmark in Mumbai, surrounded by the monsoon rain. The painting was done with watercolours and the smudged effect almost gives it the look of a heavy downpour which makes everything hazy.

(Image: SaffronArt)