Read about an artist who enjoyed painting the clouds in the skies outside
Study of Clouds with a Sunset near Rome
1786–1801
Rome, Italy
Oil on paper
Simon Alexandre Clément Denis (Flemish, 1755–1813)
13 5/16 × 15 1/2 in. (33.8 × 39.4 cm)
The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, 2005.31
Simon Denis was an artist from Belgium who wasn’t very famous, but he was one of the first people of his time to paint outdoors. He learned how to paint in Antwerp, his hometown, and then moved to Paris in the 1770s. After about 10 years, he moved to Rome, where he spent most of his career. Even though he wasn’t officially taught by famous French artists, he learned a lot from them by watching and following their example.
Denis continued painting clouds outside by looking at nature directly. He liked to paint and draw what he saw outside, like trees and mountains. Sometimes, he made really detailed paintings of landscapes. But his quick sketches done outside were more exciting and lively than his finished paintings. Next time you see clouds in the sky, try drawing what you see, just like Simon Denis did!
A city in Belgium where many famous artists lived and worked a long time ago. It’s a place known for its beautiful buildings, tasty chocolates, and being an important center for art.
A beautiful city in France, often called the “City of Light” because it was one of the first places to have streetlights. It’s famous for its iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, a tall metal structure that’s a symbol of France.
