maisemataide

Maisemataide, or landscape art, is a field of visual art dedicated to depicting environments—natural, built, or imagined. It includes representational painting, drawing, and photography, as well as contemporary media such as video, digital imaging, and installation. Works may focus on specific places, scenes, or moods and can range from precise topographical studies to abstract interpretations of space and atmosphere. The scope often encompasses both exterior landscapes and interior or surreal landscapes that convey a sense of place.

Historically, landscape painting emerged in Europe in the early modern period and developed into a major genre that explored nature, light, season, and the relationship between people and their surroundings. In Finland, maisemataide has a strong cultural presence, reflecting the country's diverse scenery—from forests and lakes to coasts and urban landscapes—and the changing seasons. Finnish artists have engaged with ecological and social themes, memory, and national identity through landscape imagery.

Contemporary practice expands beyond traditional representation to include environmental art, site-specific projects, and multimedia installations. Artists may work plein air or in studios, using field studies, archival material, or virtual representations. The audience often participates through public commissions, exhibitions, and community projects that connect landscape imagery with place-making and cultural heritage.