The topic of art, when introduced into a conversation, is often met by a blank look. Many claim that it is all a bit beyond them, and that they can not see what the artist is trying to convey, no matter how hard they try. Any work from one of the famous landscape painters is a different matter, as people can identify with it.
The genre had very slow beginnings, and for a while was quite unpopular. The main patrons of the arts were the wealthy, and they preferred their paintings on a much grander scale. The ever popular genres either had a biblical, or mythological, theme running through them, or the individual had commissioned an artist to paint their portrait.
It was the European gentry who were largely responsible for the rise in popularity of the humble landscape. They would commission works that depicted their country estates, which they would display in their large town houses. In their original form these paintings did not have any people included, unless it was to emphasize scale. Or the landscaping was there purely as a background to either the person being painted, or buildings
Because this genre was largely uncharted territory, the artist had to find out for themselves what worked and what didn't. The play of light on objects had to be experimented with, as had the new vibrant colors. It all worked out well, as people liked what they saw, and so the market grew.
The main artists in those very early years were Dutch and Flemish. In fact even the word landscape is derived from the Dutch word landschap. Recognising that there was a much wider market these artists produced smaller paintings, which were sold to the general public.
Possibly because paintings were becoming smaller, they were also being produced in greater numbers. Perhaps this is why so many fine examples have withstood the passage of time. Many would say that although the genre might have begun on the European mainland, it was the 19th century English artists who really shaped and moulded it.
The development of new materials meant that the artist could venture out into the countryside and study things. Previously they were confined to their sketch books and their studios. Now they could set up and paint whatever it was that they saw before them.
Many also cite the new developments in photography as being important. Most artists adhered to the idea of realism, whatever was before them was reproduced on their canvas. Although some chose to see photography as a chance experiment and push boundaries, as a consequence some different depictions of landscapes came to be.
There are always some names which will crop up when this subject matter is talked about. Most commonly, at least one from either Constable, Gainsborough or Turner will be mentioned. Which is hardly surprising as their works are some of the most recognizable within this category.
Thanks largely to these artists the hobby of painting was deemed suitable for young European ladies and gentlemen. When they migrated to the Americas they took this pastime with them. Which gave rise to some of America's most famous landscape painters.
The genre had very slow beginnings, and for a while was quite unpopular. The main patrons of the arts were the wealthy, and they preferred their paintings on a much grander scale. The ever popular genres either had a biblical, or mythological, theme running through them, or the individual had commissioned an artist to paint their portrait.
It was the European gentry who were largely responsible for the rise in popularity of the humble landscape. They would commission works that depicted their country estates, which they would display in their large town houses. In their original form these paintings did not have any people included, unless it was to emphasize scale. Or the landscaping was there purely as a background to either the person being painted, or buildings
Because this genre was largely uncharted territory, the artist had to find out for themselves what worked and what didn't. The play of light on objects had to be experimented with, as had the new vibrant colors. It all worked out well, as people liked what they saw, and so the market grew.
The main artists in those very early years were Dutch and Flemish. In fact even the word landscape is derived from the Dutch word landschap. Recognising that there was a much wider market these artists produced smaller paintings, which were sold to the general public.
Possibly because paintings were becoming smaller, they were also being produced in greater numbers. Perhaps this is why so many fine examples have withstood the passage of time. Many would say that although the genre might have begun on the European mainland, it was the 19th century English artists who really shaped and moulded it.
The development of new materials meant that the artist could venture out into the countryside and study things. Previously they were confined to their sketch books and their studios. Now they could set up and paint whatever it was that they saw before them.
Many also cite the new developments in photography as being important. Most artists adhered to the idea of realism, whatever was before them was reproduced on their canvas. Although some chose to see photography as a chance experiment and push boundaries, as a consequence some different depictions of landscapes came to be.
There are always some names which will crop up when this subject matter is talked about. Most commonly, at least one from either Constable, Gainsborough or Turner will be mentioned. Which is hardly surprising as their works are some of the most recognizable within this category.
Thanks largely to these artists the hobby of painting was deemed suitable for young European ladies and gentlemen. When they migrated to the Americas they took this pastime with them. Which gave rise to some of America's most famous landscape painters.
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