George Inness (American, 1825-1894) The Coming Storm, 1878 Oil on canvas, 26 x 38 1/2" Albert H. Tracy Fund, 1900

George Inness painted many scenes that showed a storm on its way. How can you tell that sometime very soon it will rain on the farmer's fields? The dark clouds, eerie light, and blowing wind might send some people running for cover. But this storm doesn't frighten anyone-the farmer continues to plow the field, and the cattle keep eating the grass in the pasture. The farm houses look warm and safe among the trees, and the smoke from their chimneys mixes with the clouds in the sky. The artist wanted to show that people and nature could live together peacefully-the farmer respects nature as he grows his crops, and nature provides rain and sun to assist him. What are some ways that farmers can use their land wisely? How could farmers mistreat the land?

If people respect nature, the cycle of life will continue without problems. Mr. Inness shows symbols of this cycle in The Coming Storm. For example, farming itself: crops grow during the summer; in the fall they are harvested; winter finds the fields dead; and in spring things grow again. Another reference to the cycle of life can be found if you look in the lower right-hand corner, where a new tree grows next to an old, dead stump. This combination tells us that although things die, they are replaced by a new generation. This is true of plants, animals, and human beings, all of which are found in Mr. Inness's painting.