More on…THE CONVENTION OF
LANDSCAPE – some important landscape
artists in history.
Claude Lorrain, Pastoral Landscape: Roman
Campagna, 1639
Landscape painting is a way of representing your world. It’s about
considering your audience (perhaps the person who commissioned the
work, or who owns the land you are painting) and communicating
something to them about the world. It can indicate what is considered
important in a certain culture at a certain time. One very influential
painter was Claude Lorrain (French, 1600 -1682.) His landscapes were
idealised – like Eugene von Guerard in Australia,, they seemed nobler and
more beautiful than they would have literally been in real life.
Eugene von Guerard, North East view
of Mt Kosciusko, 1863
Claude Lorrain, Judgement of Paris 1645
They are an interpretation of the world, rather than a
literal description. Claude influenced generations of
artists, including those in the Romantic movement a
little later.
Landscape painting for itself was not seen as quite
acceptable in 17th century Rome, as it was not quite
serious enough. Claude always included figures in the
foreground that often had a religious or classical story
theme (ancient times were of great importance to
people at that stage) is this made the painting more
important and valuable. (This is referred to as HISTORY
PAINTING.) But in fact his real interest was in the sky,
water and atmosphere.
Romantic approach to landscape – JMW Turner
JMW Turner, Norham
Castle, Sunrise, c. 1845
By the end of 18th century attitudes to landscape painting were changing, though it was still
considered a lesser genre than HISTORY PAINTING (painting Biblical stories or legends from
classical times.) The Romantic movement was interested in the drama, power and terror,
that could exist in the Natural world (called the sublime) or else peace and harmony, as in
this beautiful watercolour.
Turner (British, 1775 – 1851) was considered one of the greatest
landscape painters ever…and he helped change society’s attitude
towards landscape painting for it’s own sake.
Turner, Hannibal and his armies crossing the alps, 1812
Turner, Burning of the houses of Parliament, ?1834/5
Impressionism– last quarter of 19th century.
MONET, HAYSTACKS, EFFECTS OF SNOW AND SUN, 1891
As the 19th century progressed (along with the development of
photography) artists were changing the way the wanted to
describe the world. They became interested in experimentation
and capturing the fleeting effects of light and colour. Typically they
created works outside, rather than mainly in the studio as
previously. This style took a while to become popular with
audiences and critics, as it was considered too rough and
unfinished. Today it is one of the most popular styles of painting
and considered hugely significant.
Monet, La
Grenouilliere, 1869
Useful resources on landscape in art:
National Gallery of Victoria: http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/collection/stories/landscape-and-environment
Romanticism in art: Metropolitan Museum of Art:
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/roma/hd_roma.htm