Image source: artvee.com
Introduction
Evelyn De Morgan’s The Storm Spirits (1900) captures the raw, elemental forces of nature through the elegant forms of three ethereal figures. Set against a backdrop of darkened skies and tumultuous seas, the canvas unfolds as an allegory of tempestuous energy and spiritual potency. De Morgan, a prominent figure within the later phase of the Pre-Raphaelite movement and a student of Symbolist ideals, draws upon classical mythology and Victorian spirituality to craft an image that is both visually arresting and thematically profound. The delicate interplay between serenity and turbulence finds its focal point in the figures themselves—slender, otherworldly beings whose draped garments seem woven from the storm’s own breath. In this analysis, we will explore how De Morgan’s compositional strategies, her nuanced use of color and light, and her layered symbolism coalesce to evoke the sublime power of nature’s fiercest moments, while simultaneously reflecting the artist’s spiritual convictions and aesthetic sensibilities at the turn of the twentieth century.
Historical Context
By 1900, Evelyn De Morgan had established herself as a painter deeply influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood’s emphasis on detailed realism, brilliant coloration, and moral narrative. Yet rather than adhere strictly to medieval or literary subjects, she infused her work with Symbolist themes drawn from Neoplatonism, spiritualism, and a feminist reinterpretation of classical mythology. The Storm Spirits emerges at a time when fin-de-siècle artists sought refuge in spiritual and mystical realms as a response to industrial mechanization and social upheaval. The choice to personify the storm itself reflects broader Victorian interests in the unseen forces that govern human life and the natural world. De Morgan’s upbringing—steeped in Unitarian and Theosophical thought—manifests in her portrayal of elemental spirits as embodiments of moral and cosmic energies. Against the backdrop of the British Empire’s waning certainties, this painting can be read as both an aesthetic triumph and a philosophical statement: it asserts the supremacy of the spiritual imagination over materialist reductionism.
Composition and Form
De Morgan’s composition is arranged in a sweeping diagonal that leads the eye from the lower left to the upper right of the canvas. The three central figures occupy this dynamic axis, their draped forms echoing the curve of ocean’s swell below. The leftmost spirit outstretches a hand from which cascades a cascade of water, seamlessly merging her being with the tempestuous sea. To her right, another figure bows in apparent contemplation or sorrow, while the third spirit on the far right grips the edge of a jagged rock, her red wings unfurled like burning embers against the storm-dark sky. De Morgan balances stability and movement by counterposing the rocky solidity beneath the right figure with the fluid drapery that billows around each form. The triangular grouping of the spirits and their contrasting poses—one extending water, one introspective, one commanding lightning—creates a sense of tension and unity. The rocky promontory at center foreground anchors the painting, providing a stage upon which these supernatural entities enact their drama.
Use of Color and Light
Color in The Storm Spirits functions as both an emotional amplifier and a narrative guide. De Morgan employs a restrained palette dominated by stormy grays, muted blues, and earthy browns, punctuated by vivid accents: the golden-yellow of the leftmost spirit’s gown, the deep cerulean of the central figure’s drapery, and the crimson wings of the rightmost spirit. These color choices ensure that each figure stands out against the dark sky while also suggesting symbolic associations—gold with divine radiance, blue with introspection, and red with elemental power or passion. Light emanates subtly from within the figures themselves, rather than from a single external source, reinforcing their supernatural character. A soft luminescence outlines their forms, lending each spirit an aura that contrasts with the churning foam and the ominous clouds. The thin veils of mist and spray are rendered in nearly transparent whites, further highlighting the opacity of the spirits’ robes and the solidity of the rock. Through this careful modulation of light and hue, De Morgan captures the tension between visibility and mystery inherent in the depiction of spiritual forces.
Symbolism and Themes
At its core, The Storm Spirits is a meditation on the convergence of natural phenomena and spiritual agency. Each spirit appears to govern a distinct aspect of the storm: water, wind, and lightning. The left figure’s gesture, pouring water onto the sea, symbolizes the life-giving yet destructive potential of water. The central figure’s bowed posture and fingers pressed to her brow may signify the weight of cosmic responsibility or the sorrow that accompanies the unleashing of nature’s fury. The right spirit, engaging with jagged streaks of lightning, embodies the raw energy that fractures sky and sea alike. This tripartite division echoes classical triads—such as the Furies or the Fates—but is reimagined through a feminine lens that emphasizes both creator and destroyer roles. In Victorian culture, storms often carried moral and psychological connotations: they could represent divine judgment, emotional turmoil, or the cleansing of the old to make way for new growth. De Morgan’s painting evokes all these associations, inviting the viewer to contemplate the interdependence of human and elemental realms.
The Figure of the Storm Spirits
De Morgan’s spirits are neither grotesque nor purely idealized; their anatomies verge on the classical, yet their expressions convey deeply human emotions. The left spirit’s calm, slightly melancholic gaze hints at measured restraint, as though she understands the consequences of her actions. The central spirit’s averted face suggests introspection, perhaps questioning her complicity in the storm’s violence. The rightmost spirit’s direct, slightly challenging stare meets the viewer’s eye, demanding acknowledgement of her active participation in shaping the tempest. Their nudity, partially concealed by diaphanous garments, evokes both vulnerability and authority. De Morgan avoids exploiting sensuality for its own sake; rather, the semi-revealed forms underscore the idea that the spirits belong to a realm where the boundary between the physical and spiritual is porous. Their wings—dark bronze for the central figure and vibrant red for the rightmost spirit—further emphasize their supernatural essence. These choices frame the spirits as autonomous agents, capable of empathy and might, rather than as passive symbols.
Emotional Resonance and Viewer Engagement
The Storm Spirits engages viewers through a balance of beauty and awe. The harmonious curves of the figures and the lyrical flow of their garments draw one into the painting’s lyrical rhythm. Yet the suggestion of imminent violence—lightning crackling, waves crashing—instills a sense of foreboding. De Morgan exploits this duality to mirror the viewer’s own conflicted fascination with nature’s majesty. As one’s eye traces the lines of fabric and wing, it is compelled to linger on the intricate brushwork: each fold and contour is rendered with meticulous care, reinforcing the artist’s technical mastery. At the same time, the painting’s scale (often exhibited at a substantial size) envelops the viewer’s field of vision, creating an immersive encounter. The emotional response elicited ranges from contemplative reverence to adrenaline-laced excitement, reflecting the Romantic heritage that prized the sublime. In this way, De Morgan ensures that her painting functions not only as an aesthetic object but also as a catalyst for introspection about humanity’s place within the greater cosmos.
Artistic Techniques and Brushwork
A closer examination of De Morgan’s brushwork reveals her blend of Pre-Raphaelite finish with Symbolist abstraction. The painting’s surface is characterized by smooth transitions of tone and color, achieved through thin, layered glazes that create a luminous depth. The delicate handling of fine details—the wisps of hair that drift into the sky, the subtle veining of fabrics, and the granular texture of rock—speaks to De Morgan’s rigorous training and commitment to craftsmanship. Yet she also employs broader, more expressive strokes in areas such as the turbulent water and the tempest clouds, suggesting motion and volatility. This alternating interplay between precision and freedom underscores the painting’s thematic tension: the desire to impose order through artistic control, set against the uncontrollable forces of nature that the spirits wield. By varying her technique according to subject matter, De Morgan conveys the distinct material qualities of each element, from the solidity of stone to the translucence of mist.
Legacy and Significance
The Storm Spirits holds a notable place within Evelyn De Morgan’s oeuvre and within the broader context of late-Victorian art. It exemplifies her evolution away from strictly literary or mythological subjects toward a more abstract, spiritual allegory. This painting resonated with audiences attuned to Symbolist currents on the Continent, while also appealing to British collectors who valued technical brilliance and moral narrative. De Morgan’s emphasis on feminine agency and the portrayal of supernatural beings as nuanced characters foreshadows early twentieth-century explorations of feminist spirituality in art. Furthermore, her work influenced a new generation of artists who sought to harmonize aesthetic beauty with metaphysical inquiry. Today, The Storm Spirits continues to captivate curators and scholars for its daring combination of emotional intensity, technical skill, and philosophical depth. Its presence in museum collections and retrospectives has helped rekindle interest in an artist whose contributions were long overshadowed by her male contemporaries.
Conclusion
In The Storm Spirits, Evelyn De Morgan achieves a masterful synthesis of form, color, and symbolism that transcends mere representation. The painting’s harmonious composition, nuanced palette, and rich allegorical content invite viewers to engage with the elemental forces that shape both the natural world and the human psyche. Through her depiction of three powerful, introspective spirits, De Morgan reimagines classical myth in the service of spiritual exploration, inviting us to consider the interplay of creation and destruction, unity and discord. More than a pictorial spectacle, The Storm Spirits functions as a mirror for our own emotional and moral landscapes, reminding us that, like these spirits, we too are bound to the rhythms of the cosmos. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to evoke wonder, provoke reflection, and celebrate the transformative power of art to reveal unseen dimensions of reality.