Thunder Storm on Narragansett Bay
Object Description
Nature has called an end to a day at sea. Storm clouds churn in a darkening sky, a lightning bolt strikes in the far distance, and sheets of rain chase sailboats back to shore. Yet despite the unsettled weather, the sailors remain calm. One furls the sails of his boat while his two companions walk unhurriedly up the beach, perhaps confident in the assurance that comes with a safe arrival on stable ground.
Between 1859 and 1868, Heade, a largely self-taught painter, completed at least eight canvases depicting storms. He frequently portrayed changing weather conditions in his art, and his storm scenes may have carried metaphorical significance. During the Civil War and in the early years of Reconstruction, thunderstorms, lightning bolts, and returning ships were used to symbolize the passage of the United States through an era of profound social turmoil.
—Text taken from the Carter Handbook (2023).
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Wild Spaces, Open Seasons: Hunting and Fishing in American ArtOctober 7, 2017–January 7, 2018
Wild Spaces, Open Seasons brings together iconic works that explore outdoor subjects from the early 19th century to World War II, exploring American artists’ fascination with depicting a communion with nature that was receding in the face of industrialization.
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From Remington to O’Keeffe: The Carter’s Greatest HitsOctober 6, 2018–March 22, 2019
During the renovation, this exhibition features highlights from the permanent collection, including paintings, photographs, and sculptures, by some of America’s most renowned artists.
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Teacher Resources
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How do colors found in nature influence an artist’s work?
How might artists portray mood or emotion in their work?
How might artists use weather/climate to convey a mood/feeling/emotion?
How are moods/emotions symbolic of an artist’s work?
How do current events influence subject matter in art?
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Grades 3–5
Imagine yourself in one of the faraway boats. List some verbs that tell about the things you are doing (rowing, bailing, watching, paddling, hoping, worrying, yelling). List some adjectives that describe the sky and the water (dark, still, glassy, black, cloudy, scary, threatening, ominous).
Describe in complete sentences your experience in the boat. Be sure to include your five senses.
Imagine that you are one of the characters in this painting. Describe this experience from your point of view. Be sure to use your five senses.
Grades 5–8
Just as Heade used symbols to represent American identity during his lifetime, we are going to create symbols to represent the American identity during your lifetime. Choose one of Heade’s symbols from our discussion that you feel reflects American identity today. You may use it exactly like Heade or make changes. For example: If you choose clouds, what type of clouds will you represent? Why will you represent them in that way? If you choose a boat, is it broken or sailing freely?
Draw your chosen symbol on your paper. Now, create two of your own symbols. Next to your symbols, explain what each one represents.