Nature art is any artwork that takes inspiration from the natural world. This includes landscapes, plants, animals, oceans, and weather. It can be realistic, abstract, or symbolic, and it can appear in any medium from painting and sculpture to photography or mixed media art.

We do make a distinction between nature and natural art. Some artists use materials from the natural world to make their work, which makes it natural art, though it doesn’t have to actually depict nature. Nature art, however, can be made using any materials, with one of the most popular being acrylic paint.

Nature art captures something that’s both universal and deeply personal. Unlike other types of art that focus on human subjects or abstract ideas, nature art always draws inspiration directly from the living world that surrounds us.

It can evoke peace, reflection, and awe – all emotions that are rooted in our deep, instinctive connection to nature. The styles and techniques artists use to depict nature vary, but the unifying theme is their reverence for the natural world. Nature art reminds us of the beauty that surrounds us in the natural world and that we’re all part of it.

There is no single best nature artist since each artist has a unique way of capturing the natural world. One of the most celebrated is Claude Monet with his blooming impressionist landscapes that capture the fleeting beauty of light and water. Another is Vincent Van Gogh, whose post-impressionist paintings use bold color and texture to reflect the beauty he saw.

Some, like Ivan Aivazovsky and J.M.W. Turner, looked to the sea for inspiration and left behind vast bodies of work for viewers to marvel at. Closer to modern times are painters like Georgia O’Keeffe, known for her bold floral forms and desert scenes, and wildlife photographers like Ansel Adams, who immortalized the majesty of the American wilderness.

The appeal of nature art is timeless. It can bring balance, warmth, and serenity into any space, all while reflecting your personality and inner world. Whether you’re looking for an eye-catching centerpiece or a complementary detail to tie the room together, we’ve curated a collection of original works to suit your needs.

Each piece is crafted by skilled contemporary artists who translate the beauty of the natural world into meaningful artworks. When you make a purchase from Crib of Art, you’re directly supporting the artist behind your chosen piece. Take the time to invest in a piece that resonates with you and enjoy it for years to come.

Nature art is as old as art itself. The earliest known examples of it appear in prehistoric cave paintings, where early humans depicted animals, hunting scenes, and the environment around them. One of the oldest examples is from a cave in Spain that’s dated to 52,000 years ago.

Over the centuries, nature remained a central theme for artists. Whether it’s the detailed backgrounds of Renaissance paintings or the lush pastoral landscapes of Romanticism, the natural world is inseparable from great works of art. Even as styles evolved, artists continued to find inspiration in nature through cubist or abstract interpretations.

Nature art is one of the best types of art to surround yourself with. It can bring tranquility, focus, and a sense of grounding into any space, and it’s proven to reduce stress and improve mood. Psychologically, nature art reminds us of our link to the natural world. Each artwork can bring a sense of stillness and vitality indoors and give you a daily connection to something peaceful and real in the digital age.

Nature-inspired artwork can also make a room feel more open, bright, and balanced, which creates a harmonic atmosphere. A large canvas with a detailed composition you love can completely transform a space.

The opposite of nature art is urban art, which focuses on human environments, architecture, and technology instead of the natural world. While nature art draws inspiration from the natural world, such as landscapes, plants, and animals, urban art explores cities, structures, and modern life.

Some people might argue that purely abstract or conceptual art is the opposite of nature art since it moves away from any visual reference to the real world. However, there are examples of both abstract and conceptual art that still take inspiration from nature despite their untraditional way of depicting it.