Artists painting directly from nature follow the influence of the Enlightenment.
The landscape painting features babbling brooks, thick forests and rolling ocean waves. Although a common subject of paintings today, the landscape painting has a relatively short history compared to other art subjects.
History
According to the Encyclopedia of Irish and World Art, landscape painting became an established genre of painting in fourth century China. However, it did not gain popularity as a subject matter until sixteenth century in Europe during the Italian Renaissance.
Transition
In the 17th century, landscape painting became a subject matter in its own right. This was due in large part to the Dutch and Flemish schools of art.
The Enlightenment
During the 18th century, those who embraced the ideals of the Enlightenment began to embrace landscape as a subject in painting, according to the Open University. Artists began to paint landscapes directly from nature.
Significance
Landscape painting became a respected genre during the 19th Century. The Hudson River School of landscape painting became a major influence in American art. The movement was influenced by the English and French landscape painters during this same period.
Modern Art
The 20th Century saw such influences as German Expressionism and Abstract Expressionism on landscape art. The 21st century is still too young to determine the direction that landscape painting will take next, according to the Encyclopedia of Irish and World Art.
