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Nature was the inspiration for the romantic movement in 19th century art.

The landscape painters of that era; John Constable, Camille Corot, and Thomas Cole transcended realism to convey the beauty, mood and emotions surrounding the natural world. No longer a narrative or backdrop for history painting, pure landscape painting came into its own.

I have learned so much from studying the painting techniques of this time; especially when it comes to trees. They are featured in a new way with an aesthetic capturing the feel and character of individual trees rather than the generic style of the 18^th century. The romantic era idealized sensibility; perception and sensitivity of the artist and the ability to convey subtle and complex emotion.

In 1821, John Constable wrote to Reverend Fisher that "It will be difficult to name a class of landscape in which the sky is not the key note, the standard of scale, and the chief organ of sentiment."

As for me though, it is trees that are the heart of the landscape.