Picturesque movement

The Picturesque movement emerged in the late 18th and early 19th centuries as a way of appreciating and depicting landscapes. It emphasized natural beauty that was irregular, diverse, and evocative, encouraging artists and viewers to seek out scenery that felt grand or charming in its complexity. Unlike classical landscapes, the Picturesque valued scenes that combined roughness, variety, and a touch of wildness, often inspiring feelings of awe or admiration. This approach influenced art, painting, and landscape design, encouraging a harmonious balance between nature’s spontaneity and human appreciation, and played a key role in inspiring national parks and nature preservation efforts.