Theme of Nature and Natural Motifs

Wanderer Above the Sea and Fog by Caspar David Friedrich Man and his relation to nature was perhaps the first theme to appear in art. Evidence is found in France's famous Lascaux Caves, of 15000 BC, that contain nearly 2,000 figures, grouped into three main categories — animals, human figures and symbols, but not landscapes—they are prehistoric observations of nature. Since these early times, people have found nourishment and comfort, trials and mystery in the natural world. Art has been a means by which humans have expressed their awe of, dependence on, unity with, and isolation from nature (ARTES).

Artists have always reacted to the natural world through their artwork. Careful observation and representation of the natural world by artists has increased our sensitivity to the colors, shapes, forms, and rhythms that surround us. Artists have also produced environmental and ecologically based art works that have raised awareness about the natural world. Through conceptual and representational art, and through performance, artists have helped mankind in understanding their relationship to the natural world (Natural World).

Questions for Thought

How can artists show the beauty of nature?
How do you define the "natural world"? Do you consider yourself part of the natural world?
How have artists represented or utilized the natural world in the past?
How have artists interacted with other disciplines to understand the natural world?
What would be some ways of exploring the theme of the natural world in your own artwork?

The College Board has used this theme on the AP Art History exam predominantly over the years. This review component has been designed to help you explore this theme.

In the earlier modules, you were introduced to several works that use natural forms and motifs. The following list is just a few examples.

In this module, a few of the works that are good examples of representations of nature and of the natural world are the following:

The Horse in Motion. Eadweard Muybridge. 1878 C.E. Albumen print.
The Starry Night. Vincent van Gogh. 1889 C.E. Oil on canvas.
Mont Sainte-Victoire. Paul Cézanne. 1902-1904 C.E. Oil on canvas.
The Valley of Mexico from the Hillside of Santa Isabel (El Valle de México desde el Cerro de Santa Isabel). Jose María Velasco. 1882 C.E. Oil on canvas.

The following images from the past module would be good examples of representations of nature and of the natural world.

The Oxbow (View from Mount Holyoke, Northampton, Massachusetts, after a Thunderstorm). Thomas Cole. 1836 C.E. Oil on canvas.
Slave Ship (Slavers Throwing Overboard the Dead and Dying, Typhoon Coming On). Joseph Mallord William Turner. 1840 C.E. Oil on canvas.
Hunters in the Snow. Pieter Bruegel the Elder. 1565 C.E. Oil on wood.
Fruit and Insects. Rachel Ruysch. 1711 C.E. Oil on wood.
Pyxis of al-Mughira. Umayyad. c. 968 C.E. Ivory.
Apollo 11 Stones, Namibia. c 25,500 - 25,300 B.C.E/ Charcoal on Stone.
Great Hall Of the Bulls, Lascaux, France. Paleolithic Europe. 15,000 - 13,000 B.C.E. Rock Painting.
Camelid Sacrum in the shape of a canine. Tequixquiac, central Mexico.14,000 - 7000 B.C.E. Bone
Bushel with ibex motifs. Susa, Iran. 4200 - 3500 B.C.E. Painted Terra cotta.
The Ambum Stone. Ambum Valley, Enga Province, Papua New Guinea. c.1500 B.C.E. Greywacke.

Learn more about Starry Night in the presentation below.

Learn more about Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going? in the presentation below.

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