" The forests show richer and more varied foliage than we are accustomed to in the High Alps.            Pines present themselves as dark shadowy cones amidst the fresh green of the desiduous forest, of beeches and alders, of ash and walnut, of copses that in June are bright and fragrant with golden azalea blossom.
From the beauty of flowers and forests close at hand, the eye is carried through soft gradations of distance to the pure glaciers which hang down like silver stairs from the snowy chain.
In October, golden against fresh autumn snows, the brilliancy of landscape must be marvelous.
Space, variety, sunniness - those are the constant and characteristic qualities of Svanetian scenery.   "           
("The Exlploration of the Caucasus", Douglas W. Freshfield)
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​Crataegus ambigua, hawthorn, thorn apple (E) Боярышник (R) კუნელი (G)
Flowering in April - May. The fruits ripen in September-October.
​Crataegus, is derived from the Greek kratos "strength" because of the great strength of the wood and akis "sharp", referring to its thorns.

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​Corylus avellana, common hazel (E) თხილი (G) Лесной орех (R)
Hazelnuts are rich in protein and unsaturated fat. They also contain significant amounts of manganese, copper, vitamin E, thiamine, and magnesium.

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Berberis, barberry (E) კოწახური (G) Барбарис (R)
The berries are common in Persian cuisine such as in rice pilaf and as a flavoring for poultry. Because of their sour flavor, they are sometimes cooked with sugar before being added to Persian rice. Iranian markets sell dried zereshk. In Russia it sometimes used in jams (especially with mixed berries), and extract of barberries is a common flavoring for soft drinks, candies, and sweets.

​Alnus subcordata, Caucasian alder (E) Ольха сердцелистная (R)
Alders are commonly found near streams, rivers, and wetlands. Most of the pilings that form the foundation of Venice were made from alder trees!

​​​Ilex colchica, Black Sea holly (E) падуб остролистный (R)
During the Cenozoic Era, the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions had a wetter climate and were largely covered by laurel forests. Holly was a typical representative species of this biome. With the drying of the Mediterranean Basin during the Pliocene, the laurel forests gradually retreated, replaced by more drought-tolerant  plant communities. 

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​Fraxinus, ash (E) ნაცარი (G) Ясень (R)
Due to its elasticity, robbust structure and good looks ash is
​ideal for indoor furniture and stairs.

Blackberry (E) მაყვლის (G) Ежевика (R) ​

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​Prúnus ávium, wild cherry (E) ალუბალი (G) черешня (R)
Wild cherries have been an item of human food for several thousands of years. The stones have been found in deposits at Bronze Age settlements.

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​Rhododéndron lúteum, Yellow azalea (E) იელი (G) Рододендрон жёлтый (R)
Despite the sweet perfume of the flowers, the nectar is toxic, records of poisoning of people eating the honey date back to the 4th century BC in Classical Greece.

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​Abies nordmanniana, Caucasian fir (E) კავკასიური სოჭი (G) Пихта Нордмана (R)
The tallest tree of the continent of Europe (grows up to 85m)

Lombardy poplar (E), ოფი (G), Тополь пирамидальный (R)
selected in Lombardy, northern Italy, in the 17th century. The growth is fastigiate (having the branches more or less parallel to the main stem), with a very narrow crown.

​Viburnum opulus, Калина (R), guelder rose (E)
The fruit is edible in small quantities, with a very acidic taste; it can be used to make jelly. The name of the Russian song Kalinka is a diminutive of Kalina. Viburnum opulus is also an important symbol of the Russian national ornamental wood painting handicraft style called Khokhloma.

​The landscape genre came relatively late, in the mid 17th century  Holland. Not surprising,  these paintings show environment which is predominantly flat.
However, one hundred years earlier the great Peter Bruegel traveled to Alps and introduced mountains  into his paintings.     We have to wait another 250 years to see something  similar!

 The perception of the Alps changed in the end of eighteenth century from that of a "gloomy, frowning, oppressive, and a disfigurement of the landscape" to one more attune to the wonder and beauty of nature.  Its remoteness and awe-inspiring  grandeur with constant change of weather and light added to attraction. 

​Topographic
Meticulous  drawings of the  Alps in period when  they became a subject of  scientific interest.
They have both geological and historical significance.

​Romantic
For Victorian painters mountains  were manifestation of sublime natural architecture with it's spires and towers bathed in transitional light. Watercolor on paper was most suitable for this task.

​Academic 
It was popular in North America and the Continent. Very close to life these paintings (oil on canvas) are views of  snow peaks  in stark contrast with lush valleys. It's style traces back to Poussin.

Modern (Symbolist)
Just as Romantics these artists payed much attention to light.  But their palette was more intense and forms more defined. 

Modern (Expressionist)
Free use of color and dynamic compositions. 

Modern (Classical)
This painting  with strong contrasts of light and shade has limited palette and gives an excellent idea of how mountains are built.

​Outdoor
These two examples show different approach to on-site painting. One  has almost photographic quality while another is free in handling and color.