The word "landscape" refers to the visible features of an area of land, including its physical elements like hills, rivers, trees, and buildings, as well as its aesthetic qualities. In a broader sense, it can also represent a particular scene or setting that can be perceived by the viewer. In art, a landscape typically involves a depiction of nature.
The term "landscape" comes from the Dutch word "landschap," which means "land" and "shape or form." It started to appear in English in the early 17th century, originally referring to painting representations of nature before expanding to mean the natural landscape itself.