Returned to lender The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.
Northern Lights
Peder Balke Norwegian
Not on view
The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are one of nature’s most magnificent phenomena. They occur when charged particles from the sun pass through Earth’s atmosphere, which becomes increasingly common at higher latitudes. To produce this striking image, Balke first applied a thin layer of paint for the sky and then a thicker one for the water. Subsequently, he removed paint with a serrated device to reveal the white ground layer, producing the effects of the lights. Finally, he added details such as the coastline and boats with a brush.
This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.
