The word 'Landscape' was adopted into the English language around the end of the seventeenth century. Landscape is a word originally derived from ‘landshap’, a Dutch word meaning 'region', or, which refers to an 'area of cultivated ground'. From an artistic point of view, Landscape means 'a picture depicting scenery on land'. Landscape Canvas Art was highly popular in the Netherlands, more so than anywhere else. Therefore, it was a logical progression, that the artistic term would be derived from that language. In the Netherlands, by the end of the seventeenth century, Landscape Art had been positively accepted as a 'legitimate' genre within the Arts. However, this was not the case with regards to the firmly established, and highly influential Italian and French Art Academies. Therefore, right up until the end of the seventeenth century, the hierarchy institutes continued to value the classic, religious and mythical allegories, above all else. Regarding Landscape Art, along with Portraiture and Still Life, to be comparatively inferior subject matter.

Classic Landscape Art evolved during the seventeenth century, which sought to reflect the Greek idyllic pastures of Arcadia. A place which became legendary for its Landscapes, and represented a kind of 'pastoral perfection', for the ancient Greeks, and Romans alike. As described by the famous Roman poet, Virgil, Arcadia was 'the home of pastoral simplicity'. Another concept, within Classic Landscape Art, was the specific placement of every object portrayed, in attempt to create a harmonious ambience within a balanced composition. The Landscape paintings of Nicholas Poussin (1594-1665), whose work highlights the logic and order of line over color, exemplifies Classic Landscape Art. Poussin spent much of his career in Rome, apart from two years spent in Paris as 'First Painter in Ordinary', to Louis XIII. Nicholas Poussin was a Classic French painter, and as such, provided inspiration to many of the Classic Landscape Artists, who would proceed him. Such artists would include the legendary Paul Cezanne, and many other accomplished Artists.

During the eighteenth century, especially towards the latter half, many Artists went to Italy, making it a favored destination within Europe. During his early career, Poussin focused upon 'historical' painting, and was indeed, highly accomplished within his genre. However, in later years, Poussin would concentrate his talents upon producing Classic Landscape Canvas Art, propelling the Landscape genre into a higher plane of acceptance. Poussin, believed that Landscape Art could be as equally expressive, with regards to emotion, as that captured within historical painting, by the human activity and dramas they portrayed. By the end of the eighteenth century, Landscape Art had swept into favor, throughout England and France. However, much of the work continued to reflect the Classic Landscape Art produced in the Netherlands, during the seventeenth century, and Italy.

Classic Landscape Art had risen in popularity, even so, the Academie Royale in Paris continued to regard Landscape Art as a 'lower echelon'. As did many other, influential, Art Academies, until the end of the eighteenth century. It would be Pierre-Henri de Valenciennes who would aid the progression of Landscape Art in France, as had Poussin before him. Like Poussin, Valenciennes also believed Landscape Art to be as credible, and important as historical painting, and worked hard to persuade his superiors of this at the Academie Royale, and also his contemporaries. Pierre-Henri de Valenciennes published a book, 'Elements de Perspective Practique' - 'The Practical Elements of Perspective'- in which he emphasized how it was essential that even Historical Landscapes must be based upon true studies of the natural world. This book ultimately forced the Academie Royale to 'officially' accept Classic Landscape Art in 1817, by creating a prize for this genre.

Arts My Passion - Find landscape art