How to View a Landscape Painting Critically

By eHow Arts & Entertainment Editor

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Decorative landscapes used simply to enhance portraits were popular in 15th-century Italian painting and 18th-century English and French figure painting. Landscape painting came into its own during the 16th century and evolved into a popular primary theme of the 19th-century Impressionists.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Art History Books
Museum Tickets

Step1

Evaluate the purpose of the landscape: as background to a narrative, decoration, an aid to composition, a balance of structural and decorative functions, or the central theme.

Step2

Try to discern the period and location of the painting by its style.

Step3

Consider whether the landscape evokes a feeling or mood or is neutral.

Step4

Look at how light is used to illuminate or darken the landscape.

Step5

Read books on art history for a better understanding of the characteristics of particular periods and the influences of specific artists.

Tips & Warnings

Descriptive landscapes, which served as background to a religious or mythological event, were dominant through the Renaissance.
Landscape was used by some painters to create a balanced composition: A horizon line might accentuate some vertical motion, while other natural forms might be used to create a frame around a subject embodying the mood of the landscape, but not defining that mood.

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Comments

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Art collectors often build landscape collections based on regional landscape views and vistas (e.g. Hudson River School of Painting). These landscape paintings are not only beautiful, but also capture and immortalize specific regional scenes that are of personal and historical significance. Since the "landscape" is always evolving and changing as a result of natural and man-made influences, collections of specific regional landscapes are often highly prized and sought after by collectors, historians, regional museums and organizations.

Tip Provided by: www.NYArtsAlive.com

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 No two artists share the exact same intent when creating a painting. Try to discover what the artist was drawn to by evaluating what he or she emphasized in the work. This will give you a greater insight into the artist's mind and interests.

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