 Landscape paintings are one of the most popular types of art in the United States. "Landscape art is popular because landscapes celebrate the beauty of our world," says Nancy Langmack, founder of Peconic Bay Originals. "Everyone can relate to the beauty of a perfect spring day in a park with flowers in bloom or a gorgeous autumn day in the woods. It is something we all appreciate."
In a landscape painting, an artist focuses on capturing the essence of a particular place, whether it is a forest, field, mountain, valley or beach. The artist wants to make you feel like you are there, and tries to duplicate everything about the scene, including the weather, the wind, and the sunshine. Of course, these factors are very difficult to replicate and this requires great skill from the artist. The very best landscape paintings make the viewer feel like he or she is standing inside the painting.
"Landscape paintings have the ability to transport us to a different time and place," says Nancy. "Sometimes they take us to a place we're familiar with - and sometimes they take us to a brand new place we would like to explore. Either way, we are attracted to landscapes as an art form because they bring beauty and wonder to our everyday routine."
The first landscape paintings in the world are attributed to the Romans, who painted landscape frescoes in the 1st century. Later, in the 1400s, landscape painting became a type of art in Europe. Usually landscapes functioned as the settings for religious paintings.
In the United States, landscapes did not become a major part of American art until the 1820s. Thomas Cole, Asher B. Durand, and other painters from the Hudson River School painted huge landscapes of the American wilderness. They believed that the grand, unspoiled views of the American wilderness dramatized America's incredible promise as a country.
America's fascination with landscapes continued in the 1850s, as artists explored the western United States and South America and brought back paintings to Americans on the East Coast. Landscape paintings of this time period tended to be gigantic in size and featured views so amazing they almost look theatrical. Albert Bierstadt and Thomas Moran were two of the most celebrated landscape artists of this period.
Eventually, the large, dramatic landscape paintings of the late 1800s gave way to the smaller, more intimate views painted by the American Impressionists in the early 1900s. The Impressionists focused on capturing light and color in their paintings and spent a lot of time painting outdoors, which is also called "plein air painting." In general, their painting style is much more loose and relaxed than the earlier landscape painters and their paintings feel more personal and friendly.
"At Peconic Bay Originals, we are pleased to be associated with a number of incredible landscape painters who are continuing the proud tradition of American landscape painting," says Nancy. "Each one has a wonderful and distinctive style. I encourage you to explore their paintings for yourself by clicking on the links below!"
These artists have large number of landscapes in our collection:
Learn more about Julia McKee
Learn more about Elizabeth Greaf
Learn more about Helgy White
These artists have a wide variety of paintings in our collection, some of which are landscapes:
Learn more about Michele Usibelli
Learn more about Mark Benesh
Learn more about Judy Nakari
Learn more about Pat Parkinson
Learn more about Kathryn Heuzey
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Fine Art Prints
