If you want a quick and easy way to liven up a room, all you need is a striking painting. It will introduce some color and will create a visual focal point that can become a topic of conversation for your guests. A painting of the great outdoors has the added bonus that it can transport you to places far away from the drudgery of daily life. With the help of famous landscape painters, you may soon find yourself daydreaming about exotic locations.
Most landscape paintings provide a wide view of a location. It's as if you're standing in the great outdoors and looking out over the panorama spread out in front of you. The sky is usually visible and will show you whether it's sunny, whether there's a storm coming or whether it's a moonlit night. Nature is the most popular subject but the scenes can also include evidence of human activity, for instance through the presence of houses, agricultural fields or figures in the distance.
Landscapes have been inspiring artists since the earliest times. Early murals often depict scenes of people hunting in the wild, with mountains and rivers in the background. The ancient Romans often painted imaginary places that represented their idea of paradise. The Chinese did the same and often still do.
In Europe, the Middle Ages saw a decline in paintings of landscapes as artists focused on scenes with a religious theme instead. The genre became more popular from the 14th century and during the Renaissance. By the 17th century, when the art world was dominated by Dutch and Flemish painters, landscapes were so popular that some artists, including Esaias van de Velde, Jacob van Ruisdael, Jan van Goyen, Aelbert Cuyp and Pieter de Molyn specialized in the subject. At around the same time Dutch artists like Anthony van Dyck went to work in England and inspired the art scene there too. Soon English artists like Samuel Palmer, John Constable and JMW Turner were among their country's foremost painters of landscapes.
The exploration and colonization of the New World brought with it a treasure trove of new landscapes to paint. For example, in 1825, Thomas Cole traveled up the Hudson River, painted the Catskills and became the founder of the Hudson River School. Other artists in this group were Asher Durand, Frederic Edwin Church, Albert Bierstadt and John Frederick Kensett.
Not all famous landscapes were painted by artists specializing in the genre. 'View of Arco', for instance, is a watercolor done by Albrecht Durer, best known for his religious paintings and engravings. Vincent van Gogh's dreamy 'The Starry Night' and broody 'Wheatfield with Crows' were very different from the portraits and still lives he usually tended to paint. Georgia O'Keeffe's New Mexico scenes are among her best work.
To find landscapes by famous artists, the best place to look is at art auctions. You'll also find works in leading galleries. However, be aware that these pieces are incredibly expensive and beyond most people's budgets.
More within most people's reach would be to buy prints of well-known paintings. You'll find these from galleries or online. A great option is to go to a museum that displays works by famous landscape painters and then buy a poster of your favorite. You can then have it framed and you'll always be reminded of the day you stood in front of the original.
Most landscape paintings provide a wide view of a location. It's as if you're standing in the great outdoors and looking out over the panorama spread out in front of you. The sky is usually visible and will show you whether it's sunny, whether there's a storm coming or whether it's a moonlit night. Nature is the most popular subject but the scenes can also include evidence of human activity, for instance through the presence of houses, agricultural fields or figures in the distance.
Landscapes have been inspiring artists since the earliest times. Early murals often depict scenes of people hunting in the wild, with mountains and rivers in the background. The ancient Romans often painted imaginary places that represented their idea of paradise. The Chinese did the same and often still do.
In Europe, the Middle Ages saw a decline in paintings of landscapes as artists focused on scenes with a religious theme instead. The genre became more popular from the 14th century and during the Renaissance. By the 17th century, when the art world was dominated by Dutch and Flemish painters, landscapes were so popular that some artists, including Esaias van de Velde, Jacob van Ruisdael, Jan van Goyen, Aelbert Cuyp and Pieter de Molyn specialized in the subject. At around the same time Dutch artists like Anthony van Dyck went to work in England and inspired the art scene there too. Soon English artists like Samuel Palmer, John Constable and JMW Turner were among their country's foremost painters of landscapes.
The exploration and colonization of the New World brought with it a treasure trove of new landscapes to paint. For example, in 1825, Thomas Cole traveled up the Hudson River, painted the Catskills and became the founder of the Hudson River School. Other artists in this group were Asher Durand, Frederic Edwin Church, Albert Bierstadt and John Frederick Kensett.
Not all famous landscapes were painted by artists specializing in the genre. 'View of Arco', for instance, is a watercolor done by Albrecht Durer, best known for his religious paintings and engravings. Vincent van Gogh's dreamy 'The Starry Night' and broody 'Wheatfield with Crows' were very different from the portraits and still lives he usually tended to paint. Georgia O'Keeffe's New Mexico scenes are among her best work.
To find landscapes by famous artists, the best place to look is at art auctions. You'll also find works in leading galleries. However, be aware that these pieces are incredibly expensive and beyond most people's budgets.
More within most people's reach would be to buy prints of well-known paintings. You'll find these from galleries or online. A great option is to go to a museum that displays works by famous landscape painters and then buy a poster of your favorite. You can then have it framed and you'll always be reminded of the day you stood in front of the original.
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