Final answer:
Landscape painting is the general term for paintings depicting countryside or natural views; it is a genre that became prominent in the Dutch Golden Age and was esteemed in England during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Step-by-step explanation:
The general term for paintings of the countryside or natural views is landscape painting. Landscape painting grew to prominence during the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century with artists like Jacob van Ruisdael, and became a widely appreciated art form in England in the 18th and 19th centuries, including work by John Constable and J.M.W. Turner. The genre is characterized by its depiction of natural scenery—mountains, valleys, forests, rivers, and skies—with a focus on light, atmosphere, and the beauty of the natural world.
In addition to its aesthetic value, landscape painting has historically held nationalistic significance and expressed cultural values. During the 19th century in England, it emerged as the 'chief artistic creation' and embodied the appreciation of natural beauty tied to the nation's spiritual and cultural identity.