If you've browsed the fine art at Around the Block Consignment in Toronto, you’ve likely noticed a range of styles, from bold abstracts to serene pastoral landscapes. While trends come and go, pastoral art remains a favourite among collectors and decorators who appreciate its sense of calm, beauty, and timeless connection to nature.
Whether you’re a new collector, an admirer of rural life, or simply searching for peaceful artwork, this guide will help you understand the meaning, origins, and enduring appeal of pastoral art, especially if you’re looking for countryside artwork in Toronto.
Pastoral Definition: What Does Pastoral Mean in Art?
When people ask for the pastoral definition, they’re often referring to art, literature, or music that celebrates rural life. In visual art, pastoral refers to scenes that depict the countryside, usually in an idealised, peaceful way. Think rolling hills, golden fields, grazing sheep, winding streams, and a quiet harmony between people and nature.
In short, the pastoral meaning centres on serenity, simplicity, and escape from the chaos of city life. These scenes might include farmers at work, shepherds tending flocks, or untouched landscapes bathed in soft light. Whether traditional or contemporary, pastorals tend to soothe and inspire, inviting the viewer into a slower rhythm of life.
A Brief History of Pastoral Painting
The history of pastoral art dates back to ancient Greece and Rome, where poets and artists celebrated country life as an antidote to urban excess. These early ideas shaped Renaissance art, with painters like Claude Lorrain and Nicolas Poussin using pastoral themes to explore classical ideals and human emotion.
The 18th and 19th centuries saw the rise of pastoral masters such as Thomas Gainsborough and Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot, who introduced softer, more naturalistic styles. Their work helped define the genre, making pastoral painting accessible and deeply appealing to a broad audience.
Today, artists continue to reinterpret the pastoral through new mediums—digital art, sculpture, and mixed media—while staying rooted in the timeless beauty of nature and rural life.
Why Do People Collect Pastorals?
There’s a reason pastorals are perennially popular: they offer a visual sense of peace. A well-placed pastoral painting brings calm into a room, balancing contemporary interiors with warmth and softness.
Collectors often choose countryside artwork not just for aesthetic reasons, but because it connects them to something deeper—nostalgia, serenity, or a memory of home. These works are versatile, too. Some lean toward classic European landscapes, while others depict North American farms, fields, or wooded trails. There’s a pastoral scene for nearly every taste and space.
Buying and Selling Pastoral Art in Toronto
Looking for pastoral art in Toronto? Or ready to consign a traditional landscape painting that no longer fits your style? At Around the Block Consignment, we regularly accept and sell pastoral paintings, impressionist pieces, abstracts, and more.
As one of the most trusted art consignment dealers in Toronto destinations, we help connect collectors with meaningful artwork, and ensure that consignors receive excellent exposure and fair returns. Our experience, customer base, and commitment to quality make us a go-to for pastoral art Toronto collectors.
Visit Around the Block for Pastoral Art and More
Whether you’re drawn to a pastoral landscape, curious about rural life in art, or ready to sell a piece from your collection, Around the Block offers a wide and ever-changing selection of art styles. From romantic pastorals to bold abstracts and even Canadian fine art or Asian art, our showroom is filled with art that speaks to every kind of collector.
Visit us in Toronto or browse our art consignment online to discover a curated mix of fine artwork. If you’re considering selling, our Consign with Us page offers everything you need to know about getting started.
Let us help you reconnect with the peaceful beauty of pastoral art and bring a little countryside charm into your everyday space.
