This paper examine's painters attempts to find, in their chosen medium, a meaningful representation of nature. It proposes the idea that despite the best efforts of some of western art's most gifted artists, this has remained an elusive goal so far and this is likely to remain the case in the future. The paper concludes with an examination of Postmodern theoretical discourse and the effects it has had on painters who may want to attempt to make a meaningful statement about nature with their art. It goes on to make a case that despite the difficulty of the task, there are some very sound reasons why any painter wishing to attempt it, should do so. Some associated issues are raised in the course of the investigation: 1/. An investigation of perception of nature. 2/. The role of language in shaping our perceptions of nature. 3/. The inability of language itself to capture a satisfactory recreation of the experience of nature. 4/. An examination of Paul Cezanne's attempts to record nature using his empirical optical method. 5/. An examination of Barnett Newmans's attempts to recreate the experience of nature through the use of symbols. 6/. The work of the phenomenologists with regard to nature and painting. 7/. The problem of aesthetics. 8/. The apparent reluctance of many critics and theoreticians to take the importance of nature as a vital and indispensable starting point for some artists / Master of Arts (Hons)