AP Art History - All [Vocabulary]

Tenebrism

the use of exaggerated light and dark to create a theatrical effect (spotlight).

Caravaggio

a Baroque painter.

Bernini

a Baroque sculpter.

Trompe l’oeil

French for “deceives the eye.” A technique wherein painting is hyper realistic and becomes an optical illusion.

Di sotto in su

Italian for “from below, upward.” A technique for ceiling paintings to create a ‘worm’s eye view’ perspective.

Arabesque

Having primarily organic designs.

Caliph

A spiritual leader of Muslims.

Calligraphy

Artistic writing.

Hajj

the Muslim annual pilgrimage to Mecca.

Iwan

A type of entrance with a pointed arch.

Jali

A carved screen used for privacy and to allow light and air through.

Kufic

The formal Arabic writing style for holy text.

Mecca

The location of the Kaaba, direction of prayer; pilgrimage to this place is demanded.

Medina

Mohammed’s birthplace.

Mihrab

A niche in the wall that points to Mecca, highly decorated.

Minaret

A tower to call for prayer, typically one of four around a mosque.

Minbar

A small platform where an Islamic preacher leads prayer.

Mosque

The Muslim place of worship.

Muqarnas

Decorative vaulting.

Qibla

A wall facing the direction of Mecca.

Tessellation

Symmetrically rotatable geometric designs.

Qur’an

the Islamic sacred text, meaning recitation.

Mashq

The technique of elongating text for emphasis.

Sura

A chapter (in a book).

Bifolium

A two-page spread.

Chiaroscuro

Light-dark; technique of strong contrast between light and dark.

Foreshortening

A technique used to create depth by enlarging objects closer to the viewer.

Contrapposto

A pose in which a figure rests the majority of its weight on one leg.

Positive space

The area of a work that includes objects in focus.

Negative space

The area of a work that lacks any focused objects.

Contour lines

The outline of a figure.

Subtractive technique

The method of removing material to create a sculpture.

Hierarchy of scale

The common method of portraying importance wherein the most important figure is the largest.

Registers

Horizontal bands that contain an independent picture.

Stylization

Simplified or altered ways of portraying objects so that they appear unrealistic.

Acropolis

A city built atop a high local point.

Aniconic

A type of religion wherein figural representation of sentient beings is disallowed.

Funerary

Relating to death and burial.

Strict profile

A character is shown fully in side view, with the head and all limbs visible.

Therianthrope

A part human and part animal character.

Shamanism

A belief system wherein a shaman (figure with mystical powers) can heal, communicate with the dead, and escort souls.

Art mobilier

A small work of art that is portable, popular in prehistory.

Shaman

A priest or healer who has the power to communicate with spirits.

Scarification

Ceremonial body marks involving scars.

Raffia

A fiber made from palm trees, frequently used in ceremonial dress.

Cong

Hollow tubes with both a circular center and squared corners.

Megaliths

Large stone blocks or structures.

Lintel

A horizontal beam

Mana

A supernatural force or power imbued in an object or person.

Saudeleur Dynasty

The ruling class which built and inhabited Nan Madol.

Rebbelib

[Navigation chart] A large map that covers many islands.

Mattang

[Navigation chart] A smaller map often used for training navigators.

Ahu

Stone altars (such as the ones the Moai are placed upon).

Pukao

Hats or top hats.

Tapa

Cloth made from stripped bark.

Tatanua

A type of mask representing the spirits of deceased people.