Vers l’autonomisation des nuages : la voie picturale

Résumé 0

The scientific age of clouds assumed the recognition of the existence of atmospheric electricity. It was nevertheless necessary to wait for Luke Howard in order for clouds to be not only observed but also named and classified (1802). What was the role played by painting in their scientific invention? Throughout the centuries very diverse points of view appeared concerning these paradoxical objects – the most dreamlike of all. Taken as cushions allowing for the distribution of space, as vehicles for pagan gods or of the unique God, as more or less transparent or opaque veils, clouds belong to the imaginary as well as to the phusis. However, Ruisdaël already conceived the cloud as a personage. One can easily take his Buisson (Bush) (maladroitly titled) for a 19th century painting, individualizing the most labile appearance and giving it consistency even before any appellation.