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19th-Century Climate Warnings in Art
An exhibition explores how 19th-century art, science, and literature documented the environmental consequences of the Industrial Revolution, revealing early awareness of climate change and pollution.
English
United Kingdom
Climate ChangeScienceEnvironmentHistoryArt
Huntington LibraryArt Museum And Botanical GardensThe Ahmanson FoundationScience MuseumBiodiversity Heritage LibraryThe Brighter London Society
Thomas ColeLuke HowardEunice Newton FooteJohn TyndallHenry David Thoreau
- What is the main subject of the "Storm Cloud" exhibition?
- The exhibition "Storm Cloud" explores how 19th-century artists, writers, and scientists documented the environmental impact of the Industrial Revolution. It showcases works that depict the changing landscapes and skies, revealing early awareness of pollution and climate change.
- How did Thomas Cole depict the impact of industrialization in his work?
- Thomas Cole's painting "Portage Falls" depicts the impending destruction of a natural landscape due to canal construction, with the inclusion of a self-portrait highlighting his concern for environmental loss. Other artists, like de Loutherbourg, illustrated the dramatic shift from pastoral scenes to industrial workplaces.
- What significant scientific discoveries related to climate change are highlighted in the exhibition?
- Luke Howard's study on London's climate revealed the "heat island" effect and "city fog" (smog), while Eunice Foote's research demonstrated carbon dioxide's heat-trapping properties, though her work was largely overlooked until later. These findings represent early scientific understanding of climate change.
- How did writers and naturalists contribute to understanding environmental changes in the 19th century?
- Henry David Thoreau's observations at Walden Pond provided valuable ecological data for comparative analysis with modern climate change studies, while John Ruskin's lectures and artwork strongly criticized the effects of industrial pollution. These diverse perspectives reveal the growing awareness of environmental issues.
- How did artistic representations of landscapes evolve in response to industrialization, and what perspectives are shown in the exhibition?
- The exhibition highlights a shift in artistic representations, ranging from the seemingly idyllic landscapes of Constable, potentially overlooking industrial changes, to the stark depictions of pollution by artists like Ruskin and the glacier's poignant representation of environmental damage by Brett. This reflects evolving attitudes towards nature and the environment.