Architecture

Architectural painting is a form of genre painting where the predominant focus lies on architecture, both outdoors views and interiors. In the Renaissance, architecture was used to emphasize the perspective and create a sense of depth.

In Western art, architectural painting as an independent genre developed in the 16th century in Flanders and the Netherlands, and reached its peak in 16th and 17th century Dutch painting. Later, it developed in a tool for Romantic paintings, with views of ruins becoming very popular. Closely related genres are architectural fantasies and trompe-l'oeils ('"deceive the eye"'), especially illusionistic ceiling painting, and cityscapes.