Why did landscape painting become more important in the 17th and 18th centuries?

Landscape painting gained prominence in the 17th and 18th centuries as artists moved beyond using nature merely as a background for biblical or mythological figures, instead celebrating it as a subject in its own right.1

In the 17th century, two major traditions emerged:
* Classical Landscape: Practitioners like Nicolas Poussin and Claude Lorrain created idealized, harmonious scenes set in mythic Arcadia, often using nature to convey metaphorical or heroic themes.12
* Dutch Realism: Artists such as Jacob van Ruisdael and Aelbert Cuyp focused on the natural characteristics of their native land, using atmospheric effects like cloudy skies to explore humanity's relationship with nature.134

During the 18th century, the focus shifted toward Rococo styles in France and England, where landscapes became more lyrical, decorative, and reflective of leisure. Additionally, the Grand Tour fueled demand for vedute (view paintings) by artists like Canaletto, as wealthy travelers sought souvenirs of their journeys, further elevating the genre's popularity.15