The landscape
In recent years, and especially in our modern society, the landscape, or rather the landscapes, has become a common talking point. Be it political, audiovisual or financial, a landscape refers to the general aspect of a given subject.
A mountainous landscape in Madeira
This definition, which comes from the dictionary, is rather a derivitive of the word, as "landscape" generally reders to a piece of territory. This perceived space from a given viewpoint may vary in size and in distance.
The original term LANDSCAPE is taken from the works of different authors dating from the mid-Sixteenth Century. These artists referred to the landscape as an observed scene and its representation in paintings. Up until this period, painting was restricted to portraits or religious scenes. It was rare to see a painting of a piece of land or territory. The first landscape artists thus came into existence at this time.
There is a vast diversity of landscapes - mountainous, agricultural, maritime, forest or even urban landscapes exist. Specialists use specific criteria to define different landscapes and over 600 "landscape units" have been identified in France. There also exists a European Landscape Atlas. In recent years each region or county has compiled a collection of landscape units in order to define their particularities, their evolution and their fragility.
A landscape in Switzerland
Here's how to look at a landscape. When you're out walking, whether it be in the countryside, in the mountains or even in an urban park, take pleasure in observing the landscape in front of you. First look at the forces,, the objects and the outline of this landscape. The outline may be composed of a complete entity, like an agricultural or a winegrowing landscape. Trees near you may frame more distant aspects of your observation.
Make the most of this exercise to simply take the time to observe your surroundings and to put them into perspective in everyday life. Many things can influence your observations of the landscape, but above all, try to identify what you feel when observing it ! If this landscape needs to be changed some day, this 'analysis' will help you to respect its best qualities and its diversity.