Landscape as an independent genre is considered one of the youngest, and in antiquity, to be more precise, in Ancient Greece and Rome, nature played an important role in culture, however, only as a background for more significant stories. Nature was considered as a means of creating a certain context or atmosphere in a work – it served as an addition to mythological, religious and historical scenes, helping to convey space and mood, but rarely became the main object of the image. And if we take specifically for summer landscapes, then in painting it is embodied in the bright colors of nature, warmth and sunlight – summer is a feeling of freedom, fertility and serenity; artists through the play of light and shadow on the canvas help to convey the diversity and richness of nature at its highest point of flowering. And before moving on to considering the landscapes of artists – you need to understand how the genre appeared and the history of its origin in the world.
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The origins of landscape painting really go back to ancient times, and nature, no matter how majestic it was, was depicted in ancient Greece and Rome on mosaics, frescoes, and architectural decorative elements. Natural elements – trees, rivers, blooming gardens and mountains – had a purely decorative function and were used to create a mood in scenes dedicated to gods, myths and events from the lives of great personalities. Ancient Rome is especially famous for its frescoes that decorated the walls of villas and public buildings; the frescoes depicted gardens, greenery, fountains and pastoral scenes, but they did not serve as the main theme of the work. An example is Pompeian painting, where gardens and landscapes played the role of creating the illusion of open space in the interior, although nature was presented realistically – it was not perceived as worthy of special attention in painting.
In the Middle Ages, art was deeply connected with religious subjects and nature was depicted from the point of view of spiritual themes, for example, depicted the Gardens of Eden, the Way of the Cross or miracles. The depiction of nature on canvases was often simplified and abstracted to emphasize its symbolic meaning. It is especially important to emphasize that miniatures, decorations and manuscripts were characteristic – in such works you can see images of fields, rivers, mountains and trees, but they also did not become the main focus of the painting. In illustrated Bibles or psalters – nature often symbolized the spiritual state and places of sacred events, and artists depicted nature schematically, as a background and emphasized the main theme – religion. And if we consider the nature that was depicted in churches and monasteries, we can highlight several important features:
1) Rivers were depicted for purification and spiritual renewal.
2) Trees were depicted as life and spiritual growth.
3) Mountains were depicted as striving for heaven
However, even in churches and monasteries, nature remained in the background in relation to the main figures of saints, biblical characters and angels.
The rethinking of nature began in the Renaissance – natural elements in compositions became more detailed and realistic, although, as you guessed, they still played a supporting role. For example, in Giotto’s frescoes – depicting scenes from the lives of saints – nature begins to be conveyed with greater depth and volume. It is important to note – the revival of science also stimulated interest in the study of landscapes, and artists began to actively explore the laws of nature, perspective, anatomy and physics of light – paintings became deep and voluminous. Thus, in the Renaissance – artists slightly left the closed system that nature should be only a background – but until now the characters were in the foreground, and at the same time – nature was depicted in such a way that there was a feeling of a holistic perception of the world.
The real heyday of landscape painting began in the 18th century, when nature began to transform from a background into an independent genre – this process began in Holland, where artists began to create landscapes and completely dedicated their paintings to nature. Their works often depicted rural scenes, forests, rivers and waterfalls, and nature was no longer a background for mythological and religious scenes – it became the main object of attention. Dutch artists – nature was depicted with special love for detail – conveying the richness and beauty of the surrounding world – it is safe to say that it was realistic in paintings.
Let’s summarize – landscape painting is based on ancient and medieval traditions, where nature played a supporting role, however, with each era – interest in realism, perspective and light developed, which led to the study of new aspects of life and in particular to nature. Holland became the pioneer not only of such genres as still lifes, but also landscapes – they depicted nature as a central place; and this transition opened the way for the flourishing of landscape painting in various directions and styles in the art of subsequent centuries.
Summer landscapes – Love of Nature
With the advent of the Romantic era – landscape painting reached a new level – it became a reflection of not only nature, but also human feelings, such as peace, joy, freedom. Artists sought not only to depict nature, but also to convey emotions through it – a dynamic force that can cause powerful experiences in a person. The English school of painting had a particularly strong influence on landscapes – the paintings depicted summer with bright sunny days, lush fields and calm rivers, swaying trees in the forest.
In the 19th century, with the development of realism – landscape painting acquired a new meaning – they began to display real scenes of everyday life, and artists sought to convey the truthfulness and simplicity of natural scenes. The paintings depicted fields, rivers, forests and gardens as they are – without idealization, but with great love for detail. And the 20th century as a whole changed the approach to the realization of landscapes – with the development of modernism and avant-garde – artists began to move away from traditional realism and depict nature more abstractly. Nature was conveyed through bold color combinations and unusual forms with the help of expressive brushstrokes – this allowed to explore not only the external features of nature, but also its inner essence.
In conclusion, we can say – landscape painting has come a long way from a decorative background to an independent genre that is able to convey not only the external beauty of nature, but also complex emotions, philosophical ideas and cultural changes. Each stage of the development of art brought its own characteristics to the depiction of landscapes – from the idealization of nature to its accurate and vivid reflection.
Next, we will consider both vintage paintings in the genre of summer landscapes and modern artists – we will see how multifaceted nature can be in great artists.
Paintings of Summer Landscapes – Vintage Beauty
First of all, let’s look at the paintings that were created by European artists of the 20th century and see how detailed and beautiful they can be in comparison with real nature.
The first painting by a European artist called “Landscape with field” is a classic rural landscape in the summer and is made in the traditional style of realism. The artist sought to convey the beauty and harmony of nature with maximum accuracy and attention to detail – using space and perspective – we will analyze them in more detail below. The painting depicts a wide landscape with a predominance of fields and wooded hills; space is depicted deeply and consistently, creating the effect of endless expanses. The use of perspective enhances the feeling of space and openness – a rural road leading into the depths of the painting seems to direct the viewer’s gaze to the villages and fields that stretch to the horizons.
The artist used all the necessary color palettes in the summer landscapes – yellowish fields, green forests, blue skies with fluffy clouds create a bright and sunny image of nature. The use of soft transitions between colors – this gives the landscape a natural look and harmony in the ongoing composition. An important element of the painting is – how strongly the smallest details are depicted, such as haystacks, trees, rural houses in the distance – this emphasizes the caring attitude to the depiction of nature. The sky in the painting with its warm shades also plays an important role in creating a bright and calm mood – light, floating clouds add a certain airiness to the painting. The painting “Landscape with field” conveys a feeling of peace, harmony and comfort – the plot focuses not only on the natural beauty of fields and forests, but also conveys the essence of rural life – work on the land and simple joys that are not associated with the bustle of the city and only with the natural cycle of nature
The second painting by the European artist, entitled “Evening landscape”, is a classic example of a romantic landscape in the summer, where special attention is paid to light, shadow and atmosphere, creating a mood of peace and melancholy. The central part of the painting is a house on the river bank, surrounded by dense trees that create a contrast with the open fields and sky in the background. Elements that indicate rural life – a house on the river bank, a boat at the bottom of the painting, cows are visible in the background – all this emphasizes the close connection of man with nature. To enhance the depth and atmosphere of silence, the artist painted the river calm and in which the trees and sky are reflected; and soft warm evening tones illuminate the treetops and the house, creating the effect of a golden sunset. The sky covered with clouds in the painting occupies most of the space and dominates the composition – this gives a romantic note to the evening summer landscape; the clouds create the impression of approaching night, but the sky remains light, and thus the painting gives off a sense of calm. Summer evening scenes, like in this painting, are often depicted to create a melancholic, contemplative atmosphere that calls the viewer to reflection and inner peace.
The painting “Evening landscape” symbolizes the peace and harmony of nature at the end of the day; the house on the river bank symbolizes security and peace; the boat and the river symbolize the flow of time, the inevitable movement from day to night. This painting encourages the viewer to reflect on life, the cyclicality of nature and time, and evening summer landscapes are often associated with calm and thoughtfulness – the artist skillfully conveys this state through soft light and calm shades. It is also worth mentioning how skillfully the artist paid attention to many small details in his painting, which make it only realistic, for example, clothes are drying near the walls of the house, several boats by the river bank, how the grass bends from a light breeze.
The third painting by the European artist, titled “Landscape with an amazing place,” is a classic summer landscape and depicts not only nature, but also rural areas with houses, pastures, and mountain peaks in the background. Such landscapes – represent both natural beauty and harmony between nature and human activity, or, in other words, life in the midst of nature. The composition of the painting is dominated by mountains, which occupy a central place in the background – they rise above the village and emphasize the grandeur of nature. In the center of the composition, we see a picturesque valley with houses and a church, as well as pastures with grazing cows. The image is constructed so that the viewer feels the depth of space, thanks to the alternation of plans – foreground, middle ground, background, as well as aerial perspective, conveying the remoteness of the mountains.
In the summer landscape, the artist depicted a village with houses, a road, and figures of people who are depicted in traditional clothing – this creates an atmosphere of rural life that harmoniously coexist with nature. In the foreground – people and animals add liveliness to the painting, and their small size compared to the massive mountains emphasizes the scale of nature. But the mountains themselves – rise above the village, which only adds drama to the painting; snow-capped peaks symbolize the inaccessibility and mystery of nature; the massive presence of the mountains emphasizes the importance of the natural landscape in the life of the village. The painting “Landscape with an amazing place” evokes a sense of peace in the viewer and through the beauty of nature, calls for reflection on its place in the life of each person.
The fourth painting by the European artist “Evening In the village” is a classic summer landscape depicting rural life, which is captured in the warm evening moment, when the sun goes down behind the horizon and creates a soft, calm light reflecting on nature and buildings. Summer landscape focuses on a rural village with simple houses with thatched roofs, surrounded by trees and fields. In the foreground, a pond is visible, which reflects the sunset sky and the vegetation around; the central focus is on the small buildings and figures of people that seem to be part of the natural landscape. The sunset sky with shades of yellow and orange illuminates the scene, creating a soft light that emphasizes the tranquility of the evening; earthy, green, brown tones give the painting naturalness and peace. The painting depicts several people, local residents, who are near the house and talk about their topics – their images are small and inconspicuous against the background of large trees and open spaces.
The artist in his painting made a strong emphasis on a significant part of the composition and serves as an important element that conveys the mood of the painting – the sunset sky, slightly covered with clouds, creates such a warm and subdued light that softly illuminates the village and the landscape. Sunset lighting from the sky – the viewer will symbolize tranquility and associate it with the end of the day, giving the painting a peaceful and contemplative mood. If you think about it, this summer landscape depicts a simple village life, which emphasizes the main theme – the importance of human connection with nature, that people here are part of the surrounding world, and their houses and lives fit into the natural rhythm of nature. The artist may have left a message that peace can be found in simple things – in a solitary life, working on the land and evenings spent surrounded by nature.
Landscape Painting Summer – Contemporary Artists
Now we will look at contemporary artists, how their techniques can convey real nature through canvases.
The first painting by the artist Oleg Litvinov, titled “July noon”, depicts a summer landscape in the forest, where tall trees with thick green crowns dominate, as well as a figure of a elderly woman walking along a path with a dog. In this landscape, the artist skillfully conveys the atmosphere of a hot summer day, when sunlight penetrates through the foliage and creates a competent play of light and shadow. The main element of the composition is a dense forest with tall, slender trees – the forest landscape is filled with greenery, and the focus is on the light that penetrates through the foliage, creating light and shadow contrasts. The tree trunks are painted in detail, and with a play of light – it emphasizes their texture; the tops of the trees are not visible, which creates a feeling of immersion in the forest world. In the foreground there is an elderly woman – she looks like a part of the landscape, and this only emphasizes the close connection between man and nature.
The main highlight of the summer landscape by the artist Oleg Litvinov is the lighting – the sun’s rays breaking through the tree crowns create picturesque spots of light, both on the ground and on the foliage. Using the technique of light and shadow – this only emphasizes the heat of the summer day and conveys the feeling of time – the middle of the day, when the light is at its brightest and most direct; light areas of foliage and paths contrast with the shadows – this gives a sense of air movement in the composition. The painting is dominated by rich green shades that emphasize the summer splendor of nature – green prevails both in the leaves and on the ground; warm yellow and golden shades create a feeling of sunlight, enhancing the atmosphere of midday heat. If you pay attention, the cold bluish shades in the background create depth of perspective, contrasting with the warm colors of the foreground. The composition of a summer landscape illuminated by the bright summer sun – this evokes in the viewer a feeling of peace, solitude and enjoyment of the moment of life.
The second painting by artist Boris Serdyuk entitled “On the outskirts of” – the painting depicts a summer landscape in the impressionist style and the focus is on a natural corner – a forest or an overgrown pond, which is surrounded by greenery. The painting conveys the feeling of summer nature with its bright green shades and reflections in the water – this shows how correctly the impressionist technique conveys the underlying mood of the composition. The central place in the composition is occupied by a pond with water lilies, which is framed by dense trees and bushes; the water covered with leaves reflects the green vegetation, creating a double effect of nature – both above and below the water. The trees in the upper part of the painting rise above the pond, creating a feeling of a dense forest and an isolated corner of nature; The painting is filled with bright and rich shades of green – the palette varies from light yellow-green to deep dark green and blue tones – this emphasizes the multi-layered and diverse vegetation. The water in the pond reflects both the light and the color of the surrounding greenery – this enhances the feeling that we are looking at the pure harmony of nature.
The artist used the technique of large brushstrokes – this is typical for impressionists – brushstrokes of oil paint create a textured effect – conveys dynamics and nature in its true beauty. The leaves of the trees and the water surface are rendered with quick, energetic brush movements – this creates a sense of movement, like a light gust of wind in the composition. Light penetrates through the foliage of the trees, creating sun glare on the pond and the ground – sunlight emphasizes the bright green colors, making the summer landscape illuminated and joyful for the viewer; the shadows from the trees create depth and volume – this adds realism to the painting, despite the expressive manner of painting. The artist subtly conveys the essence of nature in his work and focuses on creating sensations – a warm, sunny summer day and the tranquility of nature. The painting reminds the viewer of the importance of finding moments of peace and tranquility in nature – the absence of people in the painting emphasizes its purity and untouchedness, inviting one to experience the beauty of nature in its pristine form.
The third painting by artist Ivan Shapoval is called “Secrets of the Summer Forest” – the painting depicts a summer landscape and conveys an idyllic and calm summer forest; the painting is filled with green and bright colors – this emphasizes the fertility and energy of nature in its prime. In the center of the composition, the artist depicts a summer forest with an abundance of greenery and flowering bushes – the main element is a path leading the viewer deeper into the forest. The path, according to the author’s idea, symbolizes the path that leads to the “secrets” of the forest – this is also stated in the title of the work; the path is muted in color and fits softly into the surroundings – this creates a feeling of naturalness and harmony. The forest depicted in the painting seems alive and full of energy – this is despite the apparent silence and to enhance this effect, pastel, albeit saturated shades are used.
The artist uses various shades of green to convey depth and emphasize the texture of the vegetation; and light green and yellow colors emphasize the illumination of the scene by sunlight. It is important to note – the use of bright pink flowers in some areas adds contrast and creates the necessary accents for the composition. The play of light and shadow is skillfully conveyed in the painting – this creates the feeling of a warm day; the light penetrates through the foliage and falls to the ground, illuminating the green areas and at the same time, like shadows, adding depth and contrast. With the help of light and shadow, the artist helps to convey the mood of the painting – a quiet and peaceful summer day, when the sun illuminates everything around and creates a feeling of peace and tranquility for the viewer. Although the painting belongs to the impressionist landscape – the artist simply sought to convey not only a visual image of nature, but also the atmosphere of the moment – the feeling of being in the forest. With his work, the artist wanted to invite the viewer to explore this “mysterious forest” – so that each of us could discover its secrets and at the same time simply enjoy the peace and beauty of nature, taking a break from the bustle of the city.
So we have come to the end – having considered a brief history of landscape painting and focused on the summer beauty of nature, which people often try not to notice. The main thing to remember is that no matter how beautiful the city is, you always want to relax in nature, in peace and quiet – get away from digital devices and just be alone with what brings joy.
All examples of photographs and artists are kindly provided by the Ukrainian Vintage Co.