Landscapes in painting received their recognition in the 17th-19th centuries thanks to such masters as Claude Lorrain, John Constable, Ivan Shishkin and others, although it arose in antiquity and went a long and thorny path to what we see it now. Each era of time interpreted nature in its own way, such as romanticism with its sublime and dramatic images, or impressionism, where artists sought to capture the instant effects of light and atmosphere. Today, the landscape genre remains very important – allowing artists to explore nature not only in terms of its physical properties, but also symbolic and spiritual qualities – this gives the way to revealing nature from its different sides.
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But what are landscapes in art? The word “landscape” comes from the French word for “nature” and “country” – in fine art, this term is used to describe a genre that focuses primarily on depicting nature – both in its original form and in the form that has been transformed and changed by man. The main task of landscape painting in art is not only the accurate reproduction of natural elements, but also the transfer of mood, atmosphere, its depth and character with the environment. In the works of landscape painters, the main character is not a person (a person or a group of people can only be present if they are surrounded by nature), but natural elements – forests, fields, mountains, rivers, sea and sky. In some cases, the artist can depict real landscapes on canvas, and sometimes – completely fictitious, created on the basis of his fantasies and imagination. It is important to note that, as in other genres of painting, the artist reflects not only the appearance of nature, but also conveys his emotions, philosophical reflections and attitude to the world around him. Artists, turning to the depiction of nature, gradually began to specialize in its different aspects – this led to the emergence of many subgenres of landscape. Let’s take a closer look at each subgenre of landscapes, and see how much artists have advanced this art of painting forward:
1) Natural landscape – artists focus on depicting real nature in the form in which it is and free from human intervention. First of all, they turn to mountains, forests, rivers, waterfalls, as well as the change of seasons and various atmospheric phenomena – from light summer rain to violent storms and thunderstorms. Artists strive to convey not only the beauty of nature, but also its dynamics, strength, grandeur – in some cases, there is an emphasis on the interaction between light and shadow – creating unique visual effects. For example, you can see the painting by artist V. Shcherban is called “Between the trees”.
2) Park (estate) landscape – artists depict well-groomed nature, where the imprint of human activity is visible, for example, these are parks, gardens, estates, and other cultivated landscapes that create a harmonious combination of nature and architecture. In such works, one feels an idyll, tranquility, and emphasizes the desire of man to decorate the natural path. Often this subgenre is associated with classical European architectural painting of the 18th century, where estate parks are the embodiment of luxury and elegance. For example, you can see a painting by the artist Pinchuk called “The garden is cherry” – it depicts a well-groomed flower garden of the owners of this house.
3) Seascape – artists depict the sea and they are involved in depicting it in dynamics and thus received the title of marine painters. In the early periods, marine painters depicted ships and sea battles; then they began to focus on the beauty of the waves, the play of light on the water and the variability of the sea. The works of marine painters convey emotions, both the peace of quiet water spaces and the transmission of the power of stormy storms, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the ocean in their canvases. For example, you can see the painting by the artist Vasily Korkishko called “The magic of the waves” – it depicts sea waves, as if revived under the brush of the creator. The water moves and shimmers, conveying all its dynamics and the power of the elements, and the subtle play of light and shadow creates a sense of depth.
4) Rural landscape – the artist depicts the harmony of life in the countryside, far from the bustle of the city and worries, so, fields, farms, villages, pastures, and just life in the bosom of nature were displayed. With the development of realism in the 19th century, a more rigid and truthful interpretation began to penetrate into the rural scene, where the difficulties of village life were emphasized. For example, you can see the painting by the artist A. Cherkas called “Quiet forest cottage in summer” – it depicts people’s houses that are surrounded by forests, and rivers flow nearby, as if protecting these quiet corners from the outside world. The artist masterfully conveys the harmony between man and nature: the houses fit comfortably into the landscape, and the dense greenery of the forest and the calm flow of the river create an atmosphere of peace and tranquility, where nature and human habitation exist in perfect balance.
5) Cityscape – artists focus on architecture and urbanism – these are the silhouettes of cities, ancient buildings, ruins, as well as industrial structures become the subject of study and admiration of artists. Cityscapes can convey both the grandeur of ancient civilizations and the dynamics of modernity – this subgenre was especially relevant in the 19th and 20th centuries with the development of industrialization and urban growth. For example, you can see the painting by artist Vladimir Rudenko called “City center“ – it depicts a busy city street filled with people and transport, and a tall building rushes into the sky. The artist conveys the energy of the urban space and conveys its bustle, movement and contrasts in comparison with the same rural landscapes – emphasizing the interaction of architecture and everyday activity of people.
6) Space landscape is a relatively young subgenre that appeared due to achievements in the field of cosmonautics and astronomy. Artists create either scientifically accurate images of planets, stars, galaxies, based on real data, or fantastic, astral and esoteric compositions, exploring unknown worlds and universes. Space landscape allows to expand the boundaries of human perception, depicting not only nature on Earth, but also cosmic spaces, so that the viewer can reflect on the infinity of the Universe and the place of man in it. For example, you can see the painting by the artist Anatoly Varvarov called “On the way to a dream” – it shows how the asteroid belt is depicted in the depths of space, where massive space rocks hover among nebulae and star clusters, creating a sense of the endless expanses of the Universe.
Let’s summarize – the landscape genre of painting has become a huge field for artistic experiments and expression of creative ideas, we can say that due to the diversity of subgenres from natural to cosmic, the artist conveys various aspects of the surrounding world, exploring both its visible and invisible sides. Landscapes in art, although they have come a long and thorny path to their approval, and at the same time remain an important way of human interaction with nature and the environment. Thus, artists reflect not only physical beauty, but also philosophical and social meanings – regardless of what aspect of the landscape was chosen by the artist, each work reveals a unique vision of the world and its significance for a person.
Let’s look at an example of a painting by artist Leonid Pavlenko called “Sunny day” – a vibrant landscape that conveys the beauty of nature and the serenity of a bright, sunny day. The painting depicts a view that is framed by tall, majestic pine trees and overlooks a lush valley that stretches into the distance – the trees act as visual anchors, directing the viewer’s eye to the hills and the vast sky beyond. The composition creates an impression that gives the painting an open and inviting atmosphere – this effect is created through the technique of depth. The artist uses rich greens, blues and earthy browns to depict the woodland area with shades of light pink and white in the clouds – this gives the effect of the soft light of a sunny day. The sky is depicted in shades of blue, and dynamic, thick brushstrokes convey the movement of the clouds, trees and foliage – painted with textured brushstrokes, reflecting the lively play of sunlight and shadow, typical of plein air painting. The painting has its own strong points, namely:
1) Focus on natural light – bright spots of sunlight that filter through the trees illuminate areas of the ground, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere.
2) Interaction of light and shadow A key feature of the landscape – this brings the painting to life and enhances the feeling that the viewer is simply on a pleasant sunny day in a wooded area.
The painting “Sunny day” is a wonderful example of impressionist landscape painting, which focuses on the techniques of interaction of light and color – this in turn conveys the atmosphere of a joyful and peaceful bright day in nature. And the expressive manner of painting and bright colors immerse the viewer in the scene so that he can feel the calm and energy of the natural world – not forgetting that there is such beauty in the world.
Abstract Landscape Art – Flights of Associations
Let’s now consider the influence from another genre of painting, such as abstract landscape – this subgenre in which the artist does not seek to convey a specific form or object, which is associated with the realism of nature. Instead, the emphasis is on expressing the atmosphere, emotional state, impressions of the natural environment with the help of abstract forms, colors, textures, lines. In an abstract landscape, the image of nature is transformed into geometric shapes, dynamic brushstrokes and blurred color spots that speak more about the sensory perception of space than about its literal reproduction.
Characteristic features of an abstract landscape:
1) Rejection of realism – artists refuse to accurately convey natural objects such as trees, rivers, mountains and the sky. Instead, compositions are created that rather convey the mood and emotions associated with the natural environment.
2) Focus on color and texture – in abstract landscapes, color plays a key role, bright and muted shades can convey the atmosphere of sunset, sunlight and rain, without depicting specific details. And texture, often achieved using various techniques of applying paint to the painting.
3) Symbolism and associations – abstract elements can symbolize natural objects and phenomena, for example, dynamic lines can resemble waves and wind, and bright color spots are associated with sunlight and flowers, although they do not have a direct resemblance to real objects.
4) Freedom of interpretation – an abstract landscape leaves the viewer room for personal associations, so that they depict not a specific place, but a visual image that evokes feelings associated with nature.
In conclusion, the abstract landscape gave artists the opportunity to abandon realism and at the same time other accents are placed in contrast to the classical one – this is on emotions and symbolism, which allows you to explore nature on a deep sensory level. Now, based on this data, we can consider artists and their works in the genre of abstract landscape.
The first abstract painting we will look at is by Anatoly Tarabanov, titled “Winter” – the painting is in the genre of lyrical landscape, where the artist’s emotional response to the scene takes precedence over strict realism. There are also elements of impressionism in the emphasis on light, color and texture to convey atmosphere, and the vibrant use of color and textured brushstrokes is combined with a more expressive style. The central focus of the painting is a small town covered in a blanket of snow, framed (emphasizing the idea of shelter and community in nature) by tall trees with dark trunks and branches reaching towards the sky. The painting has an interesting feature – the trees act as natural frames and draw the viewer’s attention to the town – this town seems so warm and alive despite its snowy surroundings. Unlike traditional winter landscapes, which are dominated by cold blues and whites, Tarabanov uses a rich variety of colors – warm yellows, reds and earthy tones for the houses, contrasting with deep purples and turquoises in the background. The playful use of color suggests that winter, although cold, can also be vibrant and full of life – the white snow sparkles across the landscape, giving the scene a sense of movement, while the pastel colors in the sky evoke a fairy-tale atmosphere. The depiction of snow on the trees and roofs – achieved through the technique of thick and textured brushstrokes – gives the painting a tactile quality. The texture on the trees, on the other hand, contrasts with the smoother, more delicate treatment of the houses and sky – the artist emphasizes this in order to show the interplay between natural elements and man-made structures.
The painting conveys a great atmosphere – it exudes warmth despite the wintry setting, and the main idea the artist wanted to emphasize is that the city is a place of refuge from the harsh winter. The small, closely grouped houses convey a sense of community, while the colorful sky and falling snowflakes add a magical, almost festive quality to the scene – creating a sense of nostalgia and coziness. The dreamlike quality of the sky and the use of vibrant colors – evoke a sense of optimism, suggesting that winter is not just a season of rest, but also a time of quiet, calm reflection. The snowflakes gently falling onto the scene signify fleeting moments of peace and tranquility. “Winter” by Anatoly Tarabanov is a poetic example of lyrical and impressionistic landscape painting that combines with expressive color and texture to create a warm, inviting view of a winter scene. The painting perfectly conveys the beauty of the winter landscape, as well as the emotional essence of winter with the use of abstract elements, the artist emphasizes the importance of community – warmth and finding joy even in the coldest times of the year.
The next abstract painting by the artist Peter Dobrev, titled “Autumn on the Dnieper”, belongs to the landscape genre, which is inspired by Fauvism and with elements of expressionism. The landscape scene is framed by colorful trees on both sides, directing the viewer’s eye to the calm river in the background. The composition of the painting also uses natural elements to create the effect of a “view of the landscape from a window” – not only is emphasized for the vibrant vegetation in the foreground, but also opens up to a distant view of the hills and water. The painting is dominated by warm colors – red, orange and green, which are mixed with cool ones – blue and purple, and what effect does it give? For example – the bright tones convey the brilliance of autumn foliage, and the use of blue and green in the water adds a refreshing balance to the vibrant colors. Dobrev’s style of painting is to apply paint in short, blocky strokes reminiscent of a mosaic – this method emphasizes the structure of each leaf and reflection, transforming the element into bright fields of color. And the imitation of rustling leaves and shimmering water is created with brush strokes and it also conveys the movement and rhythm of the composition. If you pay attention, the painting uses smooth curves of trees and rivers – this evokes a sense of calm – a bright autumn palette suggests the fleeting beauty of the season, captured at the moment of its early transition.
The painting “Autumn on the Dnieper” celebrates the beauty and intensity of nature in autumn, the mosaic brushstrokes suggest that the artist is not just depicting nature, but interpreting it through emotions and personal expressions. Thus, Dobrev conveys the idea that beauty can be found in impermanence – just as leaves fall, seasons change, and life goes on along the river. The abstract landscape offers the viewer not only a joyful and energetic interpretation of a fleeting moment in nature, but also a philosophical question about the “cycles of life” and the “richness of change”.
The latest abstract painting by artist Vyacheslav Karelin, titled “City”, belongs to the subgenre of impressionist landscape with elements of expressionism, so the focus is more on the mood and atmosphere of the scene than on strict architectural details. The composition is dominated by a compact arrangement of buildings among greenery, suggesting that we are simply looking at a historic city. The forms of the houses are simplified to blocks and towers, creating the impression of ancient architecture, harmoniously blending with nature, a large tree frames the scene, which directs the viewer’s eye to the various elements of the landscape. To create the effect of depth and atmosphere – the artist uses a rich palette of greens, blues, earthy yellows, and thick brushstrokes and impasto painting technique add texture, giving the scene a tactile, almost three-dimensional quality. An interesting detail is that the colors are mixed and overlapped to emphasize the abstract part of the landscape through light and shadow. The city is full of life, although figures or specific actions are not depicted, but the free and expressive manner of painting fills the scene with movement and brightness, as if conveying the bustle of the city.
The painting “City” reflects more than just a physical location – it conveys a sense of nostalgia, community and oneness with nature. The lack of hard details in the painting suggests that the artist is more interested in capturing the emotional essence of the place – evoking memories and impressions of time spent in such a city, rather than literally through the image on the canvas.
So we have looked at the paintings of the artists, so, we can conclude that the abstract landscape, as a genre in the art of painting, focuses not on the exact depiction of nature, but on the transmission of atmosphere, emotions, and impressions through the use of such elements as shapes, colors, textures. Artists of this direction avoid realism, creating works that symbolize natural phenomena and leave the viewer space for personal associations, so color and texture become key tools for conveying the mood and sensory perception of natural scenes.
In examples of paintings such as “Winter” by Anatoly Tarabanov, “Autumn on the Dnieper” by Peter Dobrev and “City” by Vyacheslav Karelin, the artists use color, texture and dynamic brushstrokes to create a special emotional perception. The works of the artists considered demonstrate a lyrical and expressive reflection of natural phenomena and urban scenes – the emphasis is primarily on emotions, nostalgia, community and philosophical reflections on life and change. Artists explore nature through abstraction, its deep feelings – these are associated primarily with beauty, change and time.
Thus, the abstract landscape gives artists the freedom to convey the sensory perception of nature, and the viewer – the opportunity to discover its emotional aspects through symbolism and personal associations.
Fantasy Landscape Art – Epic and Dark
Let’s now consider fantasy landscape art – a genre of artistic depiction that combines elements of nature and architecture inherent in our world, but with imaginary and supernatural elements that are characteristic of fantasy worlds. Landscapes often go beyond reality and display worlds that exist only in literature, games, cinema and other works of art.
Characteristic features of fantasy landscape:
1) Fictional worlds – landscapes of such places can vary from unusual mountain ranges, islands floating in the sky and to vast forests inhabited by magical creatures.
2) Magic and supernatural elements – mountains can be made of crystals that glow with magical energy or forests can be inhabited by spirits and elves. Fantasy landscapes are often associated with magical creatures – dragons, unicorns, trolls, fairies that can inhabit the environment.
3) Mythological motifs – fantasy landscapes are often inspired by myths and legends of various cultures. Manifestation comes in the form of giant trees, mountains that resemble the silhouettes of Gods, magical castles and palaces – the architecture will resemble mythological buildings, such as Asgard or Olympus, which combines reality and mythology.
4) Epic and grandiose – fantasy landscapes are distinguished by massive mountain ranges that rise to the clouds, endless plains, mighty forests, and entire cities. But, epicness lies not only in architectural elements, but also battles between races that take place against the backdrop of a volcano, floating castles, and so on
Thus, fantasy landscapes are not just nature and architecture, but a whole world that invites the viewer to explore, giving him the opportunity to plunge into the atmosphere of a fairy tale, magic and adventure. Let’s look at a couple of paintings from artists who show fantasy worlds.
The first oil painting we will look at is by artist Alexander Litvinov titled “Pegasus” – this is a charming fantasy landscape that combines classical mythology with natural elements of the landscape. The painting is filled with mythological figures, winged horses (Pegasi) and classical ruins surrounded by lush greenery. A waterfall flows on the right side, creating a central element of movement and life, while ancient structures and columns rise above the landscape – this evokes the atmosphere of a forgotten and magical realm. The central figures are winged creatures and playful creatures that add an allegorical element, and the Pegasi on the right side add a fantastical element to the landscape – reinforcing the idea that this is a fairy tale world. The classical ruins in the background give the scene a timeless quality – this suggests themes of harmony between man-made structures and nature, thus showing the remnants of civilization in this world. The artist uses earthy green and brown tones, as well as bright highlights of sunlight reflected off the leaves, rocks and waterfalls – this gives the landscape a touch of a fairy tale atmosphere. The colors of the pegasi and winged creatures – soft whites and light shades – create a contrast with the surrounding lush greenery – this symbolizes the purity and ethereal nature of the creatures. And the impressionist technique of applying soft brushstrokes on the canvas – creates an effect that is similar to a dream, which will enhance the feeling of a fantasy world in this landscape. The painting very clearly conveys peace and charm, as if the viewer has stumbled upon a sacred and magical place hidden in the forest.
The title of the painting “Pegasus” refers to the mythological winged horse – a symbol of freedom, creativity and inspiration, the pegasus in the painting suggests that the scene may represent the world of imagination – the forces of nature together with mythology, which are harmoniously combined. The ancient ruins evoke the idea of a forgotten past – a lost civilization that was reclaimed by mythological creatures and this reveals the narrative from the other side – about the rediscovery and return of a place in this world. In addition, the mixture of human, animal and divine elements reflects the idea that the fantasy world – is a world where the boundaries between the natural and the supernatural dissolve.
The next watercolor painting by artist Dmytro Startsev entitled “Inquisition” is an atmospheric and thought-provoking work, combining elements of fantasy architecture with Gothic influences. The architecture as the central object is a towering, complex structure reminiscent of a Gothic cathedral, but with surreal and organic elements that seem to merge with the ground. The spires, arches and sharp vertical lines of the building evoke a sense of awe and foreboding, however, the organic forms at the base that resemble roots or melting stone hint at the building being alive and crumbling. Looking at the painting, it gives off a feeling of age and eeriness – this effect is created by the muted sepia tones, and the limited palette enhances the feeling of antiquity and mystery, evoking themes such as a bygone era filled with secrecy and oppression – the use of watercolor adds subtle textures and gradients, which contributes to the fantasy atmosphere. As you will notice – the tension between the rigid design and the natural chaotic forms – this suggests themes of control, decay and transformation.
The title of the painting “Inquisition” – hints at themes of oppression, control and judgment, as the historical Inquisition was known for its persecution under the guise of religious authority. A structure that resembles both a cathedral and an ominous fortress, no matter how you look at it, it is the best place for the Inquisition – it carries power, fear and authority over the world. But, if you analyze the painting from another side, the organic roots that grow into the architecture represent the creeping influence of corruption and the natural decay of once powerful institutions. The way the structure merges with the ground tells us that over time, even the most impressive forms of power are absorbed by the once history of any time. Dmytro Startsev – in his dark fantasy painting explores the themes of power, decline and inevitable changes in the statutes of the Inquisition, presenting a structure that is simultaneously majestic and ominous. The combination of architectural precision and surreal elements – makes this work not just an exploration of the contradictions between control and chaos in the Inquisition, but first of all, as a physical structure and human institution of this power. So we have considered two artists in the genre of fantasy landscape in the world of painting and art. It can be said that no matter what landscape you choose, no matter what genre it is in – the main thing is to trust your feelings, because art loves when you pay attention not only with your eyes, but also accept it with your heart.
All examples of photographs and artists are kindly provided by the Ukrainian Vintage Co.
