What historical events influenced the popularity of marble in European nature art?

The popularity of marble in European nature art was profoundly influenced by several pivotal historical events. During the Renaissance (14th-17th centuries), the revival of classical ideals led to extensive use of Carrara marble for sculptures and architecture, as seen in Michelangelo's works that celebrated natural human form. The Baroque period (17th century) further elevated marble's status through dramatic, nature-inspired sculptures like Bernini's Apollo and Daphne, where marble's veining enhanced organic transformation themes. The Grand Tour era (17th-19th centuries) exposed European elites to ancient Roman and Greek marble masterpieces, sparking neoclassical trends that integrated marble into landscape gardens and public monuments. Additionally, the discovery of new quarries during the Industrial Revolution made high-quality marble more accessible, enabling widespread use in nature-themed civic projects and architectural elements across Europe.