Art History Terms

A growing list of handy terms to use when describing artwork

realism/realistic • Also

– Illusionism (an illusion)– Figurativism (a figurative representation)– Representational (representing something)

• Means creating the illusion that the artwork represents something going on in a “real” space within the work itself

• There is less emphasis on the intrinsic properties of the media and more on the representation

• It is better to use illusionism etc not realism as this is more vague

• Also – Illusionism (an illusion)– Figurativism (a figurative representation)– Representational (representing something)

• Means creating the illusion that the artwork represents something going on in a “real” space within the work itself

• There is less emphasis on the intrinsic properties of the media and more on the representation

• It is better to use illusionism etc not realism as this is more vague

Classical Art/Style • Also “Neoclassical” or “Neo Classical” (meaning

new classical). This has been seen in Romanesque art, the Renaissance, Napoleonic France, Nazi Germany and the Post-Modernist art of California.

• Refers to the art of Greece and Rome• Emphasis on the figure as the perfect definition of

beauty when represented in “perfect” proportions. These were mathematically defined.

• Unemotional and very “staged”. Totally illusionistic• Very heavy on symbolism (that is classical

symbolism)

• Also “Neoclassical” or “Neo Classical” (meaning new classical). This has been seen in Romanesque art, the Renaissance, Napoleonic France, Nazi Germany and the Post-Modernist art of California.

• Refers to the art of Greece and Rome• Emphasis on the figure as the perfect definition of

beauty when represented in “perfect” proportions. These were mathematically defined.

• Unemotional and very “staged”. Totally illusionistic• Very heavy on symbolism (that is classical

symbolism)

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sfumatosfumato

• Soft shadow/ tonal modeling. • Usually applies to features • (from the Italian word for “smoky”)• The brushwork can be blurred or in some

cases, but don’t confuse this with Expressionist brushwork which is lively and agitated.

• Soft shadow/ tonal modeling. • Usually applies to features • (from the Italian word for “smoky”)• The brushwork can be blurred or in some

cases, but don’t confuse this with Expressionist brushwork which is lively and agitated.

Expressionist/expressionismExpressionist/expressionism• Refers to a technique, mainly with painting. • The subject is only a vehical for some sort of

emotional reaction to it. • Typically expressionist art is very loose and vibrant

in paint application and in choice of colours. • The image is often quite flat and there is also a

very dark or depressing visual impression we are left with. This is because expressionism lends itself to the darker side of human nature as opposed to Impressionism or Fauvism, which lent themselves to brighter images

• Refers to a technique, mainly with painting. • The subject is only a vehical for some sort of

emotional reaction to it. • Typically expressionist art is very loose and vibrant

in paint application and in choice of colours. • The image is often quite flat and there is also a

very dark or depressing visual impression we are left with. This is because expressionism lends itself to the darker side of human nature as opposed to Impressionism or Fauvism, which lent themselves to brighter images

chiaroscuro

• An Italian word that refers to the contrast of light and shadow. This typically will meet at some point and the contrast will lend that dark tone more power

Picture planePicture plane

• The imaginary surface “inside” the painting itself. The illusion of space is created through linear or aerial perspective.

• The imaginary surface “inside” the painting itself. The illusion of space is created through linear or aerial perspective.

Physical space

Picture plane