I would argue that what you're describing is close to an interactive version of the sort of storytelling you can achieve in a painting (also - you piqued my interest, installing Journey!).
It's a really great game and I think by the end you'll be awestruck by what it successfully evokes in you, but a painting, or a silent movie for that matter, are by definition not interactive environments unless using your imagination/interpretation is equivalent to a video game. In the games I describe you can miss things by not exploring. I won't miss anything in watching a silent movie or the opening sequence to Up because there's a definite set of frames and they run one way. A painting is even more limited.
