A Gale of Wind
- Artist: John Hoppner
- Date: c.1794
- Medium: Oil paint on canvas
- Dimensions: support: 1321 x 1829 mm
- Museum: Tate Britain
- Collection record: Tate Britain website
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About this artwork
This is the “A Gale of Wind” by John Hoppner. Hoppner was a leading portraitist of his day, but in 1794 he surprised the Royal Academy crowd with a dramatic seascape instead of a sitter. The canvas, about 1321 × 1829 mm, shows a stormy coast just off St Catherine’s Point on the Isle of Wight – a spot known for its treacherous waters. You’ll notice the vigorous, almost theatrical brushwork that captures the wind’s fury and the sea’s roiling waves. Hoppner used this piece to display his skill in rendering drama and narrative, a bold departure from his usual portraiture. A contemporary critic even remarked that “the present aggression is incontestably bold, and well executed, and should be rewarded with a booty of reputation.” The work sits here as part of the marine painting collection, giving us a snapshot of 18th‑century British maritime art and the competitive artistic spirit of the era. Enjoy the swirl of color and the sense that you’re right beside the gale, feeling the wind in your hair.
See it in person
A Gale of Wind is in the collection of Tate Britain on Millbank, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
