Somewhere over the rainbow ... you might find an artist painting it. A compilation of artists inspired by rainbows over five centuries.

Artists featured in this Curation: Lesley Banks (b.1962), George Barret the elder (1728/1732–1784), William Joseph Julius Caesar Bond (1833–1926), Samuel Bough (1822–1878), Robert Brough (1872–1905), Ford Madox Brown (1821–1893), John Alfred Arnesby Brown (1866–1955), Jan Brueghel the younger (1601–1678), Hendrik van Balen I (1575–1632), Edward James Buttar (1873–1943), and 65 more
74 artworks
Storyline Album Showcase

  • Lesley Banks (b.1962)

    The 39th Week Counting 1993
    Lesley Banks (b.1962)
    Oil on canvas
    H 76.2 x W 81.3 cm
    Glasgow Life Museums
    The 39th Week Counting
    © the artist. Image credit: Glasgow Life Museums

  • George Barret the elder (1728/1732–1784)

    Conway Castle
    George Barret the elder (1728/1732–1784)
    Oil on canvas
    H 90 x W 124.5 cm
    Government Art Collection
    Conway Castle
    Image credit: Government Art Collection

  • William Joseph Julius Caesar Bond (1833–1926)

    Landscape with a Rainbow and Cattle
    William Joseph Julius Caesar Bond (1833–1926)
    Oil on panel
    H 24.5 x W 36 cm
    Williamson Art Gallery & Museum
    Landscape with a Rainbow and Cattle
    Image credit: Williamson Art Gallery & Museum

  • Samuel Bough (1822–1878)

    The Bass Rock after a Storm 1865
    Samuel Bough (1822–1878)
    Oil on canvas
    H 100 x W 135 cm
    University of St Andrews
    The Bass Rock after a Storm
    Image credit: University of St Andrews

  • Robert Brough (1872–1905)

    View of Elgin, Moray c.1894
    Robert Brough (1872–1905)
    Oil on canvas
    H 54.3 x W 74.7 cm
    Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
    View of Elgin, Moray
    Image credit: Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums

  • Ford Madox Brown (1821–1893)

    Walton-on-the-Naze 1860
    Ford Madox Brown (1821–1893)
    Oil on canvas
    H 84 x W 174.2 cm
    Birmingham Museums Trust
    Walton-on-the-Naze
    Image credit: Birmingham Museums Trust

  • John Alfred Arnesby Brown (1866–1955)

    The Riverbank 1902
    John Alfred Arnesby Brown (1866–1955)
    Oil on canvas
    H 127 x W 183 cm
    City of London Corporation
    The Riverbank
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: City of London Corporation

  • Jan Brueghel the younger (1601–1678)

    The Four Elements: Water c.1620–1622
    Jan Brueghel the younger (1601–1678) and Hendrik van Balen I (1575–1632)
    Oil on copper
    H 47.5 x W 82.5 cm
    National Trust, Kingston Lacy
    The Four Elements: Water
    Image credit: National Trust Images

  • Edward James Buttar (1873–1943)

    Rainbow over Cricklade, Wiltshire c.1940
    Edward James Buttar (1873–1943)
    Oil on board
    H 61 x W 75 cm
    Cricklade Town Hall
    Rainbow over Cricklade, Wiltshire
    Image credit: Cricklade Town Hall

  • Peter Coker (1926–2004)

    Rain, Rainbow and Stormy Seas 1974
    Peter Coker (1926–2004)
    Oil on canvas
    H 102.2 x W 204 cm
    National Maritime Museum
    Rain, Rainbow and Stormy Seas
    © National Maritime Museum. Image credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London

  • John Constable (1776–1837)

    Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows 1831
    John Constable (1776–1837)
    Oil on canvas
    H 153.7 x W 192 cm
    Tate
    Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows
    Image credit: Tate

  • Francis Ferdinand Maurice Cook (1907–1978)

    Witchcraft 1962–1963
    Francis Ferdinand Maurice Cook (1907–1978)
    Oil & mixed media on board
    H 40 x W 27.5 cm
    Sir Francis Cook Collection
    Witchcraft
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Sir Francis Cook Collection

  • John Crane (1850–1915)

    Distant View of Lancaster from the West c.1900
    John Crane (1850–1915)
    Oil on board
    H 16 x W 21 cm
    Lancaster City Museums
    Distant View of Lancaster from the West
    Image credit: Lancaster City Museums

  • George Cruikshank (1792–1878)

    Venus Rising from the Froth of the Sea
    George Cruikshank (1792–1878)
    Oil on canvas
    H 30.5 x W 25.1 cm
    Paintings Collection
    Venus Rising from the Froth of the Sea
    Image credit: Victoria and Albert Museum, London

  • Francis Danby (1793–1861)

    The Shipwreck 1859
    Francis Danby (1793–1861)
    Oil on canvas
    H 77.5 x W 107.5 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    The Shipwreck
    Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • William Davis (1812–1873)

    The Rainbow 1858
    William Davis (1812–1873)
    Oil on canvas
    H 45.5 x W 65.5 cm
    Walker Art Gallery
    The Rainbow
    Image credit: Walker Art Gallery

  • Henry Dawson (1811–1878)

    The Rainbow
    Henry Dawson (1811–1878)
    Oil on canvas
    H 38.5 x W 56.6 cm
    Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
    The Rainbow
    Image credit: Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage

  • Richard Ernst Eurich (1903–1992)

    Coast Scene with a Rainbow 1952–1953
    Richard Ernst Eurich (1903–1992)
    Oil on canvas
    H 122.5 x W 183.5 cm
    Government Art Collection
    Coast Scene with a Rainbow
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Government Art Collection

  • John Everett (1876–1949)

    Worbarrow Bay, Dorset
    John Everett (1876–1949)
    Oil on canvas
    H 97 x W 130 cm
    National Maritime Museum
    Worbarrow Bay, Dorset
    Image credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London

  • Francesco Fernandi (1679–1740)

    The Sacrifice of Noah c.1720
    Francesco Fernandi (1679–1740)
    Oil on canvas
    H 137 x W 255.5 cm
    National Trust, Stourhead
    The Sacrifice of Noah
    Image credit: National Trust Images

  • A. Finch

    Cardington Hangers 1960s
    A. Finch
    Oil on canvas
    H 121.9 x W 182.9 cm
    Royal Air Force Museum
    Cardington Hangers
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Royal Air Force Museum

  • Janet C. Fisher (1867–1926)

    Rainbow over Assisi, Italy
    Janet C. Fisher (1867–1926)
    Oil on canvas
    H 43.8 x W 59.3 cm
    The Wilson
    Rainbow over Assisi, Italy
    Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council

  • Ian Fleming (1906–1994)

    Harbour Pattern: The Rainbow 1987
    Ian Fleming (1906–1994)
    Oil on canvas
    H 74 x W 100 cm
    Grampian Hospitals Art Trust
    Harbour Pattern: The Rainbow
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Grampian Hospitals Art Trust

  • Geoffrey Scowcroft Fletcher (1923–2004)

    A Summer Afternoon 1948–1949
    Geoffrey Scowcroft Fletcher (1923–2004)
    Oil on canvas
    H 40 x W 50 cm
    Gallery Oldham
    A Summer Afternoon
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Gallery Oldham

  • Phil George (b.1960)

    The Big Wheel Keeps on Turning: Forget Me Not 2022
    Phil George (b.1960)
    Oil on canvas
    H 69.5 x W 100 x D 3.5 cm
    National Coal Mining Museum for England
    The Big Wheel Keeps on Turning: Forget Me Not
    © the artist. Image credit: National Coal Mining Museum for England

  • David Ghilchik (1892–1972)

    Out of the Ruins at Cripplegate, London 1962
    David Ghilchik (1892–1972)
    Oil on canvas
    H 61 x W 91 cm
    City of London Corporation
    Out of the Ruins at Cripplegate, London
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: City of London Corporation

  • William George Gillies (1898–1973)

    Landscape, Temple
    William George Gillies (1898–1973)
    Oil on canvas
    H 52 x W 63.5 cm
    Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
    Landscape, Temple
    © Royal Scottish Academy / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums

  • Jim D. Godber (d.1970)

    'Cat and Fiddle' Windmill, Dale, Derbyshire* 1963
    Jim D. Godber (d.1970)
    Oil on board
    H 39.5 x W 49.5 cm
    Erewash Borough Council
    'Cat and Fiddle' Windmill, Dale, Derbyshire*
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Erewash Borough Council

  • George Graham (1881–1949)

    The Creation of the Deep Seas, Salt Dykes 1936–1938
    George Graham (1881–1949)
    Oil on canvas
    H 102 x W 127 cm
    Hastings Museum and Art Gallery
    The Creation of the Deep Seas, Salt Dykes
    Image credit: Hastings Museum and Art Gallery

  • Douglas James Gray (b.1947)

    Rainbow and Landscape 1969
    Douglas James Gray (b.1947)
    Oil on canvas
    H 175 x W 150 cm
    University of Dundee, Duncan of Jordanstone College Collection
    Rainbow and Landscape
    © the artist. Image credit: University of Dundee, Duncan of Jordanstone College Collection

  • Eliza Goodwin Green (1851–1932)

    The Main Fall, Victoria Falls, Rhodesia 1904
    Eliza Goodwin Green (1851–1932)
    Oil on canvas
    H 71 x W 92 cm
    Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery
    The Main Fall, Victoria Falls, Rhodesia
    Image credit: Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery

  • John Atkinson Grimshaw (1836–1893)

    The Seal of the Covenant 1868
    John Atkinson Grimshaw (1836–1893)
    Oil on canvas
    H 71.1 x W 91.4 cm
    Leeds Museums and Galleries
    The Seal of the Covenant
    Image credit: Bridgeman Images

  • Ralph Hedley (1848–1913)

    Summer Time 1904
    Ralph Hedley (1848–1913)
    Oil on canvas
    H 46.4 x W 61.4 cm
    Shipley Art Gallery
    Summer Time
    Image credit: Shipley Art Gallery

  • George Henry (1858–1943)

    Landscape with Rainbow
    George Henry (1858–1943)
    Oil on canvas
    H 71.6 x W 91.9 cm
    Manchester Art Gallery
    Landscape with Rainbow
    Image credit: Manchester Art Gallery

  • William Hodges (1744–1797)

    Storm on the Ganges, with Mrs Hastings near the Colgon Rocks c.1790
    William Hodges (1744–1797)
    Oil on canvas
    H 127 x W 182.9 cm
    Yale Center for British Art
    Storm on the Ganges, with Mrs Hastings near the Colgon Rocks
    Image credit: Yale Center for British Art

  • Edward Henry Holder (1847–1922)

    Victoria Falls on the Zambezi, Zimbabwe
    Edward Henry Holder (1847–1922)
    Oil on board
    H 23 x W 17.7 cm
    The Collection: Art & Archaeology in Lincolnshire (Usher Gallery)
    Victoria Falls on the Zambezi, Zimbabwe
    Image credit: The Collection: Art & Archaeology in Lincolnshire (Usher Gallery)

  • Patrick Hughes (b.1939)

    Leaning on a Landscape 1978
    Patrick Hughes (b.1939)
    Gloss paint on board
    H 121.9 x W 182.5 cm
    Arts Council Collection, Southbank Centre
    1978, gloss paint on board by Patrick Hughes (b.1939)
    Leaning on a Landscape
    © Patrick Hughes / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Arts Council Collection, Southbank Centre, London

  • William Holman Hunt (1827–1910)

    The Scapegoat 1854–1855
    William Holman Hunt (1827–1910)
    Oil on canvas
    H 33.7 x W 45.9 cm
    Manchester Art Gallery
    The Scapegoat
    Image credit: Manchester Art Gallery

  • Julius Caesar Ibbetson (1759–1817)

    Landscape, Beeston Castle, Cheshire, and Rainbow 1793
    Julius Caesar Ibbetson (1759–1817)
    Oil on canvas
    H 34.9 x W 45.4 cm
    Nottingham City Museums & Galleries
    Landscape, Beeston Castle, Cheshire, and Rainbow
    Image credit: Nottingham City Museums & Galleries

  • Arthur Henry Jenkins (1871–1940)

    Where the Rainbow Ends
    Arthur Henry Jenkins (1871–1940)
    Oil on canvas
    H 64 x W 76 cm
    Victoria Art Gallery
    Where the Rainbow Ends
    Image credit: Victoria Art Gallery

  • Laura Knight (1877–1970)

    Spring 1916–20
    Laura Knight (1877–1970)
    Oil on canvas
    H 152.4 x W 182.9 cm
    Tate
    Spring
    © Tate. Image credit: Tate

  • Archibald Knox (1864–1933)

    A Moon Rainbow c.1900–1933
    Archibald Knox (1864–1933)
    Watercolour on paper
    H 44 x W 58 cm
    Manx National Heritage
    A Moon Rainbow
    Image credit: Manx National Heritage

  • Philip James de Loutherbourg (1740–1812)

    The Rainbow 1784
    Philip James de Loutherbourg (1740–1812)
    Oil on canvas
    H 101.6 x W 127 cm
    Yale Center for British Art
    The Rainbow
    Image credit: Yale Center for British Art

  • Daniel Maclise (1806–1870)

    Noah's Sacrifice 1847/1853
    Daniel Maclise (1806–1870)
    Oil on canvas
    H 206 x W 254 cm
    Leeds Museums and Galleries
    Noah's Sacrifice
    Image credit: Bridgeman Images

  • William Darling McKay (1844–1924)

    Pastoral Landscape with Rainbow
    William Darling McKay (1844–1924)
    Oil on board
    H 71.8 x W 110.7 cm
    East Lothian Council
    Pastoral Landscape with Rainbow
    Image credit: East Lothian Council

  • Steve Megson (active 1985–1986)

    Rainbow in a Landscape over a River 1985
    Steve Megson (active 1985–1986)
    Oil on board
    H 118.2 x W 118.6 cm
    Kirkcudbright Academy Endowment Trust Collection
    Rainbow in a Landscape over a River
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Kirkcudbright Academy Endowment Trust Collection

  • John Everett Millais (1829–1896)

    The Blind Girl 1856
    John Everett Millais (1829–1896)
    Oil on canvas
    H 80.8 x W 53.4 cm
    Birmingham Museums Trust
    The Blind Girl
    Image credit: Birmingham Museums Trust

  • Evelyn De Morgan (1855–1919)

    Death of a Butterfly 1910–1914
    Evelyn De Morgan (1855–1919)
    Oil on canvas
    H 30.7 x W 38.5 cm
    De Morgan Collection
    Death of a Butterfly
    Image credit: De Morgan Collection

  • Jeffrey Morgan (b.1942)

    Medbh McGuckian
    Jeffrey Morgan (b.1942)
    Oil on canvas
    H 117 x W 87 cm
    Queen's University Belfast
    Medbh McGuckian
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Queen's University Belfast

  • Alfred Pizzey Newton (1830–1883)

    The Rainbow
    Alfred Pizzey Newton (1830–1883)
    Watercolour on paper
    H 120 x W 81 cm
    Nuneaton Museum and Art Gallery
    The Rainbow
    Image credit: Nuneaton Museum and Art Gallery

  • Marianne North (1830–1890)

    Rainbow over the Bridal Veil Fall, Yosemite, California 1875
    Marianne North (1830–1890)
    Oil on board
    H 51 x W 35 cm
    Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
    Rainbow over the Bridal Veil Fall, Yosemite, California
    Image credit: The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

  • James Orrock (1829–1913)

    On the Nith 1899
    James Orrock (1829–1913)
    Oil on canvas
    H 81.3 x W 127.3 cm
    Leicester Museums and Galleries
    On the Nith
    Image credit: Leicester Museums and Galleries

  • Henry Maurice Page (1845–1908)

    Wargrave Church, Berkshire 1890
    Henry Maurice Page (1845–1908)
    Oil on canvas
    H 145.2 x W 94.5 cm
    Croydon Art Collection
    Wargrave Church, Berkshire
    Image credit: Croydon Art Collection

  • Bonaventura Peeters I (1614–1652)

    Seascape with Sailors Sheltering from a Rain Storm 1640s
    Bonaventura Peeters I (1614–1652)
    Oil on oak panel
    H 33.2 x W 45.7 cm
    National Maritime Museum
    Seascape with Sailors Sheltering from a Rain Storm
    Image credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London

  • Eric Ravilious (1903–1942)

    Rainbow and Camouflaged Ship 1942
    Eric Ravilious (1903–1942)
    Watercolour & pencil on paper
    H 49.5 x W 53.3 cm
    British Council Collection
    Rainbow and Camouflaged Ship
    Image credit: British Council Collection

  • Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640)

    The Rainbow Landscape c.1636
    Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640)
    Oil on oak panel
    H 135.6 x W 235 cm
    The Wallace Collection
    The Rainbow Landscape
    Image credit: The Wallace Collection

  • Isabel Florrie Saul (1895–1982)

    Saint Swithun, Bishop of Winchester c.1930
    Isabel Florrie Saul (1895–1982)
    Tempera on board
    H 29 x W 27 cm
    Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
    Saint Swithun, Bishop of Winchester
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

  • Elliott Seabrooke (1886–1950)

    Rainbow 1910
    Elliott Seabrooke (1886–1950)
    Oil on canvas
    H 101.8 x W 127 cm
    The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery, University of Leeds
    Rainbow
    Image credit: The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery, University of Leeds

  • Edward Brian Seago (1910–1974)

    The Rainbow after 1945
    Edward Brian Seago (1910–1974)
    Oil on board
    H 22.2 x W 27.1 cm
    Pallant House Gallery
    The Rainbow
    © Seago Estate, courtesy of Portland Gallery, London / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Pallant House Gallery, Chichester

  • Georges Seurat (1859–1891)

    The Rainbow: Study for 'Bathers at Asnières' 1883
    Georges Seurat (1859–1891)
    Oil on wood
    H 15.5 x W 24.5 cm
    The National Gallery, London
    The Rainbow: Study for 'Bathers at Asnières'
    Image credit: The National Gallery, London

  • William Shackleton (1872–1933)

    The Rainbow, Malhamdale 1918
    William Shackleton (1872–1933)
    Oil on paper
    H 37.5 x W 42 cm
    Bradford Museums and Galleries
    The Rainbow, Malhamdale
    Image credit: Bradford Museums and Galleries

  • Charles Haslewood Shannon (1863–1937)

    The Rebirth of the Arts
    Charles Haslewood Shannon (1863–1937)
    Colour lithograph on paper
    H 80.4 x W 51.3 cm
    Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales
    The Rebirth of the Arts
    Image credit: Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales

  • Jan Siberechts (1627–c.1703)

    Landscape with Rainbow, Henley-on-Thames c.1690
    Jan Siberechts (1627–c.1703)
    Oil on canvas
    H 81.9 x W 102.9 cm
    Tate
    Landscape with Rainbow, Henley-on-Thames
    Image credit: Tate

  • Robert Borlase Smart (1881–1947)

    Clipper, St Ives Bay
    Robert Borlase Smart (1881–1947)
    Oil on canvas
    H 102 x W 152 cm
    St Ives Town Council
    Clipper, St Ives Bay
    Image credit: St Ives Town Council

  • Harold Speed (1872–1957)

    The Rainbow 1908
    Harold Speed (1872–1957)
    Oil on canvas
    H 53.1 x W 65.5 cm
    Sheffield Museums
    The Rainbow
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Sheffield Museums

  • Thomas Stothard (1755–1834)

    Shakespeare's Principal Characters 1812
    Thomas Stothard (1755–1834)
    Oil on panel
    H 36.8 x W 140.3 cm
    Paintings Collection
    Shakespeare's Principal Characters
    Image credit: Victoria and Albert Museum, London

  • Michael James Strang (1942–2022)

    St Ives Storm c.1993–1997
    Michael James Strang (1942–2022)
    Oil on canvas
    H 90 x W 120 cm
    Penlee House Gallery & Museum
    St Ives Storm
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Penlee House Gallery & Museum

  • Pierre Tal-Coat (1905–1985)

    Landscape with a Rainbow 1933
    Pierre Tal-Coat (1905–1985)
    Oil on canvas
    H 53.8 x W 64.8 cm
    Manchester Art Gallery
    Landscape with a Rainbow
    © ADAGP, Paris and DACS, London 2024. Image credit: Manchester Art Gallery

  • Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775–1851)

    Buttermere Lake, with Part of Cromackwater, Cumberland, a Shower exhibited 1798
    Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775–1851)
    Oil on canvas
    H 88.9 x W 119.4 cm
    Tate
    Buttermere Lake, with Part of Cromackwater, Cumberland, a Shower
    Image credit: Tate

  • Henry Clarence Whaite (1828–1912)

    The Rainbow 1862
    Henry Clarence Whaite (1828–1912)
    Oil on canvas
    H 139.7 x W 241.6 cm
    Nottingham City Museums & Galleries
    The Rainbow
    Image credit: Nottingham City Museums & Galleries

  • Peter de Wint (1784–1849)

    Landscape with a Rainbow
    Peter de Wint (1784–1849)
    Oil on canvas
    H 109 x W 165.5 cm
    The Collection: Art & Archaeology in Lincolnshire (Usher Gallery)
    Landscape with a Rainbow
    Image credit: The Collection: Art & Archaeology in Lincolnshire (Usher Gallery)

  • Christopher Wood (1901–1930)

    The Rainbow 1927
    Christopher Wood (1901–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 32.7 x W 45.7 cm
    The Mercer Art Gallery, Harrogate
    The Rainbow
    Image credit: The Mercer Art Gallery, Harrogate

  • Joseph Wright of Derby (1734–1797)

    Landscape with a Rainbow 1794
    Joseph Wright of Derby (1734–1797)
    Oil on canvas
    H 83 x W 106.8 cm
    Derby Museums
    Landscape with a Rainbow
    Image credit: Derby Museums

  • Sydney Wright (active 1937–1942)

    Mammon 1941–1942
    Sydney Wright (active 1937–1942)
    Oil on canvas
    H 211 x W 117 cm
    Atkinson Art Gallery Collection
    Mammon
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Atkinson Art Gallery Collection

Explore artists in this Curation

View all 75
  • Disappointed Love
    Francis Danby (1793–1861)
  • A Storm at Sea
    Bonaventura Peeters I (1614–1652)
  • Victoria Falls on the Zambezi, Zimbabwe
    Edward Henry Holder (1847–1922)
  • Rachel Sitting on the Household Gods of Laban
    Francesco Fernandi (1679–1740)
  • The Rainbow
    Alfred Pizzey Newton (1830–1883)
  • Market Day in Sandwich, Kent
    Henry Maurice Page (1845–1908)
  • Landscape with Hermit in a Tree
    Douglas James Gray (b.1947)
  • A Garden with Three Fountains
    Janet C. Fisher (1867–1926)
  • Building the Boat, Tréboul
    Christopher Wood (1901–1930)
  • Nightfall in Scarborough Harbour, North Yorkshire
    John Atkinson Grimshaw (1836–1893)
  • View all 75
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