Louisiana Landscape | The Heart of Louisiana

The only way to truly see what a Louisiana landscape looked like before photography is through paintings and drawings. These artistic depictions, created long before cameras, could capture the details of bayous and forests, and provide a glimpse into a world that has since evolved.

louisiana landscape in art: a family heirloom

framed painting of winding road through the woods at sunset — Louisiana landscape painting by Eleanor Lewis, 1926

One landscape image has been part of my life since childhood—a winding road through the woods at sunset, captured in an oil painting that has hung in my family’s homes for generations. The scene is unspoiled, rich with towering trees, Spanish moss, and wildflowers. It was painted in 1926 by my great-great-grandmother, Eleanor Lewis of Loranger, Louisiana. Her initials and the date are etched in the corner.

etched signature in oil painting tangipahoa 1927 EPL — Artist’s initials E.P.L, dated 1926

Curious about its artistic and historical value, I took the small painting to the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans. Collection curator Bradley Sumrall examined it closely. “I see a painter who’s trying to evoke a feeling, the feeling that the landscape gives to her,” Sumrall said. “I love her dramatic use of lighting and capturing this kind of vibrant sunset.”

what we can learn from a louisiana landscape painting

The Ogden Museum features a gallery of Southern landscape paintings, showcasing how artists have documented the region for nearly two centuries. I asked Sumrall if these works were historically accurate or if artists used creative interpretation. “For the most part, painters were painting the reality of the landscape,” he said.

oil painting of trees and brilliant sunset reflected in water — 1881 painting of Bayou Plaquemines by Joseph Meeker, courtesy Ogden Museum

Sumrall pointed to an 1881 painting of Bayou Plaquemines by Joseph Meeker. The artwork captures a brilliant sunset—a scene so vivid that outsiders might question its authenticity. “But if you’re from South Louisiana,” Sumrall said, “you do know that we have those sunsets.”

framed oil painting showing man in row boat in waterway in cypress tree forest — 1887 painting of Bayou Beauregard by George David Coulon, courtesy Ogden Museum

I know those sunsets, too. I’ve witnessed the sky ablaze in deep orange, filtering through cypress trees and reflecting on Louisiana’s waterways.

sunset over Lake Martin, Louisiana featured in Louisiana nature photography — Photograph of kayaker at sunset on Lake Martin, LA.

tracing a landscape through generations

My great-great-grandmother’s painting led me on a journey. I remembered faint pencil markings on the back of the canvas. Carefully removing the frame, I found a description: “On the Tangipahoa (River), west and north of Dunnington Bridge in the swamp land.”

pencil writing on faded paper — Description of painting’s location.

I searched for the location and found a new Dunnington Bridge on the Tangipahoa River south of Loranger. With the landowner’s permission, I walked through the woods, imagining the moment Eleanor Lewis might have stood there, painting nearly a century ago.

side of a bridge above waterwayk with trees along riverbank — The Dunnington Bridge today

Among the trees, I found one that reminded me of the massive oaks in her painting. Was it the same tree? Had it stood there for the past four generations? At that moment, I felt a profound connection—not just to a place, but to an artist who had once gazed upon the same Louisiana landscape and captured its beauty for future generations.

man with gray hair, wearing brown jacket and blue jeans standing next to large tree trunk — I found this large tree that reminded me of my great-great-grandmother’s painting

exploring the art of the louisiana landscape on tv

Watch this Heart of Louisiana story on the Louisiana Landscape in paintings and photos

the ogden museum of southern art

The Ogden Museum of Southern Art is located in downtown New Orleans at 925 Camp Street. For more information on current exhibitions, contact the museum at (504) 539-9650. You can click here to visit the Ogden Museum’s website.

Here are some of my favorite Louisiana landscapes

sunset afterglow on lake with cypress trees — Lake Martin, Louisiana

Lake Martin is part of the Cypress Island Preserve operated by the Nature Conservancy. Click here to see more photos and videos of my visits to Lake Martin.

backlit light fog on lake with cypress trees and hanging moss — Lake Fausse Pointe, Louisiana

Ride along as I paddle through the giant cypress trees of Lake Fausse Pointe, a rare stand of old growth trees. Click here to see the story.

great white egret stands along shoreline of b ayou near large tree. — A kayak trip down Louisiana’s Bayou Teche.

Bayou Teche, which flows through the heart of Louisiana’s Cajun Country, is a wonderful place for a kayak paddle. Click here to see my trip on the Bayou Teche Paddle Trail.

shooting star in the milky way over Louisiana’s Kisatchie National Forest — A shooting star in the Milky Way in Louisiana’s Kisatchie National Forest

I enjoy stargazing and photographing the night sky. And I have found multiple locations where I have been able to see and capture images of the milky way. Click here to see my milky way photos and video.

sunrise over Grand Isle, Louisiana — Sunrise over the Gulf of Mexico at Grand Isle, LA

I’ve made several trips to Grand Isle during the spring migration of tropical songbirds. Be sure to arrive in time for sunrise. Click here to see my story and images of the beautiful birds.

sunset at Louisiana State Park with calm lake orange sky and silhouette of man setting on bench — Jimmie Davis State Park, Chatham, Louisiana

Bass fishermen know about Jimmie Davis State Park in north-central Louisiana. It’s also a great place to enjoy a quiet sunset. Click here to see my story.

sunrise behind cypress tree sun reflection in lake — Louisiana’s Chicot State Park near Ville Platte.

Chicot State Park, located minutes north of Ville Platte, Louisiana, has a large lake filled with cypress trees that’s great for paddling. C lick here to learn more about the paddle trails and Chicot State Park.

sunset in orange sky above lake with moss on cypress trees with exposed roots on shoreline — Sunset over Lake Pontchartrain at Fontainbleau State Park in Mandeville, LA.

Located on the northern shore of Lake Pontchartrain, Fontainbleau State Park has campsites and cabins and beautiful views of the setting sun. Click here for more information on camping at Fontainbleau State Park.