Landscapes

Landscape is one of the principal genres of art. The appreciation of nature for its own sake, and its selection as a primary subject, is a relatively recent phenomenon in art history. Until the seventeenth century, landscapes were typically confined to the backgrounds of portraits or paintings focusing on religious, mythological, or historical themes.

Artists choose landscapes as subjects for various reasons. Beyond capturing their inherent beauty, many artists use landscapes to explore aesthetic elements such as light, color, and texture. Additionally, landscapes can serve as a narrative tool, allowing artists to tell a story, convey an idea, or express a metaphor.