5/30/2013

Famous Landscape Painters And Their Genre

By Rena Hudson


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

Due to the newness of this genre, a lot of the results that are seen today came about through trial and error. Color had to be adapted, mixed and merged to depict shadow and light. It was worth the trouble, because as the results got better the available 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.

Artists moved away from huge religious paintings, into the more moderately sized pieces and found that they could produce more. It might be coincidence, but it could explain why there are a greater number of surviving pieces. Many have recognised that despite this genre starting on the European continent, it was artists in England during the 19th century who really boosted the style.

Another benefit that the artist of the time had was the development of new materials. So rather than being confined to their studios and garrets the artist could travel out into the countryside. They no longer had to rely on their sketch books, but could actually set up paint outdoors.

Photography, also had a part to play in the development of this type of painting. Many artists elected to stay close to realism, in much the same way as a camera would capture an image. Some saw these photographs as an ideal reason to experiment with what they were painting, consequently there are various forms of landscape paintings.

Whenever people think of this genre from the world of art, there are several names that are automatically thought of. These are the names of Constable, Turner and Gainsborough. Many of their works are instantly recognizable, even to people who profess to have no knowledge, or interest.

Thanks to these artists these was a rise in popularity of painting as a pastime for both men and women. When these people left Europe to make new lives for themselves in America, they took their hobby with them. From those pioneers have emerged some of the American continent's famous landscape painters.




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