Art History Glossary

A post-World War II American art movement characterized by large-scale, gestural or color-field painting that emphasized spontaneity and individual expression.

A work of art placed behind or above the altar of a church, typically a painting or relief sculpture depicting religious subjects.

Artists or works that are experimental, radical, or unorthodox with respect to art, culture, or society, pushing the boundaries of what is accepted as the norm.

A European artistic style of the 17th and early 18th centuries characterized by dramatic expression, rich color, dynamic composition, and grandeur.

The use of strong contrasts between light and dark areas in a work of art to create the illusion of three-dimensional volume.

The arrangement and organization of visual elements within a work of art, including the placement of figures, use of space, and overall structure.

A pose in which the human figure stands with most of its weight on one foot, creating a natural S-curve through the body.

An early 20th-century movement pioneered by Picasso and Braque that depicted subjects from multiple viewpoints using fragmented geometric forms.

A mural painting technique in which pigments are applied to freshly laid wet plaster, becoming an integral part of the wall surface.

A medieval European style of architecture and art (c. 1140-1500) characterized by pointed arches, ribbed vaults, flying buttresses, and large stained-glass windows.

The study and interpretation of the subject matter, symbols, and conventional imagery in visual art.

A 19th-century French movement that emphasized the depiction of light and its changing qualities through visible brushstrokes and bright, unmixed colors.

A mathematical system for creating the illusion of depth on a flat surface by depicting parallel lines as converging toward one or more vanishing points.

A public declaration of the aims, motives, and views of an art movement, often used by avant-garde groups to define their principles and break with tradition.

The material or technique used to create a work of art, such as oil paint, watercolor, bronze, marble, or digital media.

A broad cultural movement of the late 19th to mid-20th century that deliberately rejected traditional forms and sought new modes of artistic expression.

An individual, institution, or government that provides financial support and commissions to artists, thereby influencing the production and direction of art.

Any method for representing three-dimensional objects and spatial relationships on a two-dimensional surface, including linear and atmospheric perspective.

The documented history of ownership of a work of art, used to establish authenticity, legal title, and historical significance.

An ordinary manufactured object designated as art by the artist. The concept was introduced by Marcel Duchamp in the 1910s.

A cultural movement originating in 14th-century Italy that revived interest in classical antiquity and emphasized humanism, scientific inquiry, and naturalism in art.

A painting technique that produces soft, gradual transitions between tones and colors, creating hazy, atmospheric effects without harsh outlines.

A 20th-century art and literary movement that sought to unlock the creative potential of the unconscious mind through dreamlike imagery and automatic techniques.

A dramatic form of chiaroscuro in which most of the composition is in deep shadow, with a few areas of bright, intense illumination.

A genre of still life painting, popular in 17th-century Dutch art, featuring symbolic objects that remind the viewer of the inevitability of death and the futility of earthly pleasures.