In the Middle Ages cityscapes appeared as a background for portraits and biblical themes. Halfway the 17th century the cityscape became an independent genre in the Netherlands. In his famous 'View of Delft' in 1660-1661 Jan Vermeer painted a quite accurate portrait of the city Delft. Cities like Amsterdam, Haarlem and The Hague also became popular subjects for paintings. Painters from other European countries (i.e. Great Britain, France, and Germany) followed the Dutch example. The 18th century was a flourishing period for cityscape painting in Venice (Canaletto, Guardi).
At the end of the 19th century the impressionists focused on the atmosphere and dynamics of everyday life in the city. Suburban and industrial areas, building sites and railway yards also became subjects for cityscapes.

La Primavera, Allegory of Spring, Woman with a Pearl, Dance Class
garden of love, Gilles, Los Borrachos The Triumph Of Bacchus
Venus and Adonis, Venus at a Mirror, The Embarkation for Cythera
Las Meninas, The Thames below Westminster, The Bridge over the Water-Lily Pond
Bathsheba at Her Bath, The Surrender Of Breda, Couple Riding
The Three Graces, An Autumn Princess, Portrait Of Innocent X