Landscapes have captivated us for centuries. We paint them, retreat to them on holiday, we take endless photographs of and in front of them, we write about them. The natural landscape is our escape from concrete and social media feeds. But what makes one landscape painting capture our attention more than others? Is it simply the artist’s technical skill or is there something deeper at play? According to the research of art philosopher and web entrepreneur Denis Dutton in his book “The Art Instinct: Beauty, Pleasure, and Human Evolution”, all humans share an innate sense of beauty that is not tied to cultural boundaries. Does this mean that certain elements within a landscape painting appeal to our senses on a fundamental level? Is it a harmonious mix of colours, a balanced composition or something else that attracts us to favour one painting over another – and reproduce it across wall prints, memorabilia, crafts, films and television and much more?
It certainly made me re-think my warped perspective of landscape painting. Let me explain how.
Emotional Resonance
The perfect landscape painting keys in to the emotions of the viewer, forging a connection between the artwork and that person’s experience of it. Dutton’s studies suggest that landscapes with natural scenes, such as rolling hills, serene lakes, or majestic mountains, trigger positive emotional responses. Why? Because these are the elements of the landscape we looked for when we needed the landscape to survive. We needed hills to spot predators and enemies, lakes and mountains for fresh water. Our love for landscape paintings seems to be rooted in our ancestors’ need to connect with nature for survival and sustenance.
Artistic Vision and Imagination
While technical skill is vital, the perfect landscape painting goes beyond just replicating reality, which is what I first presumed it to be before I started painting them. Artists inject their unique vision and imagination into their works, transforming a plain landscape into an emotional and intellectual journey for the viewer. Dutton’s research states that the ability to imagine and interpret the world around us greatly influences our appreciation of art, as we can imagine ourselves within it.
Attention to Detail
Painters often pay meticulous attention to the smallest details in their landscapes. Dutton’s studies reveal that humans have a keen eye for detail and can appreciate the effort an artist puts into capturing intricate aspects of nature. Whether it’s the delicate veins on a leaf, the play of light on water, or the subtle interplay of colors in a sunset, these details add depth and realism, drawing the viewer further into the painted world.
Breaking Boundaries
A perfect landscape painting becomes a timeless piece of art that speaks to generations beyond its creation. Why is it we’re still deeply moved by the great Romantic landscapes of Caspar David Freidrich or Albert Bierstadt’s Autumn Woods, one of the great works of the 19th century Hudson River School in the United States. Dutton’s studies on cross-cultural art appreciation suggest that certain themes and motifs in landscape art have endured throughout history because they touch on universal human experiences. For example, the depiction of changing seasons may represent the cyclical nature of life, while sunrises and sunsets evoke notions of renewal and hope.
The perfect landscape painting is a convergence of technical skill, emotional resonance, artistic vision, attention to detail, and the ability to connect with shared humanity. Dutton’s research sheds light on the intricate relationship between art and human instinct, illustrating that our appreciation for landscape paintings goes beyond aesthetics. It’s a profound connection with nature, emotions, and our own imagination that makes these artworks timeless and universally cherished.