In the hierarchy of genres set up by the Academy, the most important genres are history painting, portraiture and genre painting. Still life and landscape art were considered less important, and still life is on the fifth, while landscape is on the fourth place. Even so, some of the most beautiful paintings ever painted emerged here, for example, Van Gogh's Sunflowers or his extraordinary landscapes made in different techniques.
Although there were some attempts before, still life art first emerged in the sixteenth century. This specific genre feature natural or man-made, inanimate objects. In Tate Museum Glossary, motifs are described as anything that doesn't move or is dead. When it comes to natural objects, there are usually flowers or food, while man-made objects include books, vases and similar things.
Although there is often some level of symbolism involved in this type of paintings, some famous painters, for example Cezanne, simply enjoyed playing with numerous possibilities this type of art allows. He was inspired by different shapes and colors. Arranging objects in space, he was able to express his thoughts and practice his technique.
Caravaggio's basket of fruits is considered to be the first Western art major work presenting still life, at least the first recognized one. In the 1600s, some authors in Netherlands became more interested in this genre. Floral motif is quite common at the time, symbolic or not. Amazed by the beauty of flowers, numerous painters decided to immortalize this beauty.
Breakfast and banquet motifs are very popular as well. Other popular themes are games and vanities. All pictures have one thing in common. The background is in dark, gray tones, tan colored, in one word, neutral. Main motif is usually bright colored, and there are some elements in gold and silver. Skulls, watches and similar objects are there to remind us of our mortality.
Landscape art depict physical world. This includes mountains, water, sky and vegetation. This type of art can be really detailed and realistic, but also idealized, romantic or impressionistic. Oil is the most dominant technique here, but many artists preferred acrylic, gauche or pastels. Mixed techniques are also quite common.
Although numerous examples of landscape art can be found all through the history, it became an independent genre in sixteenth century. This genre became more important in later periods. It is still popular today, but contemporary paintings of this type usually feature buildings, roads and similar, modern motifs.
Landscape had more important role in China, of course. In Western art, it was merely used as a background. Dutch and Flemish schools made a great difference in the seventeenth century in Europe. Some prominent artists, for example Vermeer, gave it more important role and it became finally respected and accepted as independent genre, as well as popular.
The most beautiful examples of landscape art were made in the nineteenth century, mostly in England and France. The most important artists in England were Constable and Turner. In France, there were several prominent artists such as Pissarro, Renoir and some other famous painters. Although you can maybe find people on their landscape pictures, the focus is always on the nature.
Although there were some attempts before, still life art first emerged in the sixteenth century. This specific genre feature natural or man-made, inanimate objects. In Tate Museum Glossary, motifs are described as anything that doesn't move or is dead. When it comes to natural objects, there are usually flowers or food, while man-made objects include books, vases and similar things.
Although there is often some level of symbolism involved in this type of paintings, some famous painters, for example Cezanne, simply enjoyed playing with numerous possibilities this type of art allows. He was inspired by different shapes and colors. Arranging objects in space, he was able to express his thoughts and practice his technique.
Caravaggio's basket of fruits is considered to be the first Western art major work presenting still life, at least the first recognized one. In the 1600s, some authors in Netherlands became more interested in this genre. Floral motif is quite common at the time, symbolic or not. Amazed by the beauty of flowers, numerous painters decided to immortalize this beauty.
Breakfast and banquet motifs are very popular as well. Other popular themes are games and vanities. All pictures have one thing in common. The background is in dark, gray tones, tan colored, in one word, neutral. Main motif is usually bright colored, and there are some elements in gold and silver. Skulls, watches and similar objects are there to remind us of our mortality.
Landscape art depict physical world. This includes mountains, water, sky and vegetation. This type of art can be really detailed and realistic, but also idealized, romantic or impressionistic. Oil is the most dominant technique here, but many artists preferred acrylic, gauche or pastels. Mixed techniques are also quite common.
Although numerous examples of landscape art can be found all through the history, it became an independent genre in sixteenth century. This genre became more important in later periods. It is still popular today, but contemporary paintings of this type usually feature buildings, roads and similar, modern motifs.
Landscape had more important role in China, of course. In Western art, it was merely used as a background. Dutch and Flemish schools made a great difference in the seventeenth century in Europe. Some prominent artists, for example Vermeer, gave it more important role and it became finally respected and accepted as independent genre, as well as popular.
The most beautiful examples of landscape art were made in the nineteenth century, mostly in England and France. The most important artists in England were Constable and Turner. In France, there were several prominent artists such as Pissarro, Renoir and some other famous painters. Although you can maybe find people on their landscape pictures, the focus is always on the nature.