Final answer:
The 'haunting motive' in Debussy's Clouds is a musical element that contributes to the mood and atmosphere of the piece, akin to how artists use color to evoke emotions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks about the "haunting motive" in Debussy's Clouds and implies a musical concept. The haunting quality in music can often be attributed to various musical elements such as melody, harmony, tonality, and timbre. In Debussy's work, harmonies and tonal structures are frequently used to evoke mood and atmosphere. Similarly, artists like Gauguin and Van Gogh have used color to convey emotion and mood, creating a 'haunting' or profound impact on the viewer. This parallels Debussy's use of musical elements to create an emotive soundscape.