Landscape painting is a depiction of natural landscapes such as rivers, mountains, valleys, trees, forests etc. The landscape has played a leading role in American painting since the 19th century. There is a great influence of Nativism in art. So in painting, as well as in the literature, travelers and the nature surrounding them took center stage. The landscape painters succeeded in highlighting its untouched beauty, beyond the control of man. This was the philosophy of those times of rapid development of technology. Regardless of the school of painting, the antique painting price is always high; it is a win-win investment. 

There are several generations of artists represent different schools, directions etc. But only a few of the landscape painters left a noticeable mark in the history of art, becoming really famous. 

The Hudson River School is the first and widely recognized among American painting. Its painters’ works are exhibited in the largest museums, at large auctions they are constantly monitored by antique dealers that buy antiques. The focus in the plots is a beauty of American nature, wild and untouched. The most famous American artist, also founder of this school is Thomas Cole (1801-1848). Very similar style of painting had Asher Durand (1796-1886).

^{Asher Durand. Landscape, Scene from "Thanatopsis". 1850. Source: wikipedia}

One of his paintings sold up at auction among antique paintings for sale for more than 30 million $ in the early 2000s. Within the Hudson River School there was such direction as Luminism, which was represented by John Frederick Kensett (1816-1872).

^{John Frederick Kensett. Lake George (Adirondack Mountains). 1858. Source: mutualart}

It was expressed in a special attention and manner of conveying lighting in the picture. Many landscapes created during his travels in North and South America Edwin Church (1826-1900). The second generation of the Hudson River School was proudly presented by Albert Bierstadt (1830-1902). He is the author of more than 500 paintings, the plots of which are mainly related to the nature of the Wild West and the life of the Indians. Even during his lifetime he was able to achieve tangible commercial success. The famous landscapes of Thomas Moran (1836-1926) became not only a legacy of art. He also contributed to the creation of a national park in Yellowstone. Martin Johnson Heade (1819-1904) wasn’t a member of the School, but distinguished himself by romantic seascapes, including Florida ones. Although he did not become widely known during his lifetime, his work now presented in museums collections. A new direction – Tonalism created by James Whistler (1834-1903). Often Tonalism considered an offshoot of Impressionism. His monochrome landscapes are gray, blue, brown shades transmitted in fog. The works gained particular popularity and commercial demand towards the end of the artist's life.

Winslow Homer (1838-1910) represented Realism and often compared to the Barbizon School. His famous grounded for his paintings of marine themes, tropical and snowy landscapes. Andrew Wyeth (1917-2009) paints on Realism too. But his technic is very peculiar, even called as “magical”. The most of his famous work is the “World of Christina”. Despite the weak popularity in the modernist trends dominated 20th century, his works still have a great success. In fact, people buy antique art not only as a collectible for knowledgeable art connoisseurs, but also as the best interior decoration. Awareness of nature, captured in painting, will always give a person a sense of inner satisfaction and balance. However the highest antique valuations in all times are always for landscape painting.

^{Cover image: Thomas Moran. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. 1893–1901. Source: wikipedia}