Overview of Art Movements, Elements, and Impressionism

Vocabulary flashcards covering major art movements, elements and principles of art, Impressionist concepts, techniques, and notable figures as presented in the lecture notes.

Prehistoric Art

Early human artistic expressions (c. 40,000–4,000 BCE) including cave paintings and rock carvings.

Ancient Art

Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art (c. 3000 BCE–400 CE) focused on the human form and naturalistic techniques.

Medieval Art

Early Christian, Byzantine, Romanesque, and Gothic art (c. 500–1400 CE) emphasizing religious symbolism.

Renaissance

‘Rebirth’ period (c. 1400–1600) marked by humanism, realism, and anatomical study.

Humanism (Renaissance)

Philosophy placing humans at the center of intellectual and artistic endeavor.

Baroque

Art style (c. 1600–1750) characterized by grandeur, drama, chiaroscuro, and ornate detail.

Chiaroscuro

Dramatic contrast of light and shadow to create depth and emphasis.

Rococo

Light, decorative style (c. 1720–1760) with pastels, asymmetry, and playful aristocratic themes.

Neoclassicism

Revival of Greek/Roman ideals (c. 1750–1850) stressing order, balance, and moral narratives.

Romanticism

Movement (c. 1780–1850) prioritizing emotion, imagination, and the sublime in nature.

Realism

Art (c. 1840–1880) depicting everyday life with objective accuracy and social commentary.

Impressionism

Movement (c. 1860–1892) capturing fleeting moments with loose brushstrokes and vibrant color.

Post-Impressionism

Diverse artists (c. 1880–1914) expanding on Impressionism through symbolism and abstraction.

Contemporary Art

Broad range (c. 1960–present) including Pop Art, Minimalism, Conceptual Art, engaging social issues.

En Plein Air

Painting outdoors to capture natural light and atmosphere, common among Impressionists.

Synthetic Paint Tubes

19th-century innovation enabling portable vibrant colors for artists like the Impressionists.

Primary Colors

Red, yellow, blue—the foundational hues on the color wheel.

Secondary Colors

Orange, green, violet—created by mixing two primary colors.

Tertiary Colors

Hues made by mixing a primary color with an adjacent secondary color (e.g., yellow-orange).

Hue

The name or basic family of a color (e.g., red, blue).

Value (Color)

Lightness or darkness of a hue achieved by adding white or black.

Saturation

Intensity or purity of a color; highest in fully saturated hues.

Form

Three-dimensional quality or implied volume giving shape to art.

Line

A mark connecting points; varies in thickness, direction, and can imply movement.

Shape

Two- or three-dimensional area with boundaries; geometric or organic.

Space

Area around or within objects; includes positive, negative, depth, and perspective.

Texture

Surface quality—real or implied—such as rough, smooth, or patterned.

Balance (Art)

Distribution of visual weight; symmetrical, asymmetrical, or radial.

Symmetrical Balance

Equal visual weight on both sides of a central axis.

Asymmetrical Balance

Different elements creating equilibrium through visual interest.

Radial Balance

Elements arranged around a central point.

Contrast

Differences in color, value, texture, or size to create visual interest.

Emphasis

Focal point created through contrast, placement, or isolation.

Rhythm/Movement

Repetition or directional cues that suggest motion or lead the eye.

Proportion

Relative size relationships between parts of an artwork.

Scale

Overall size of an object or figure in relation to others within the artwork.

Unity

Sense of coherence and completeness in a composition.

Variety

Use of differing elements to create interest and contrast within unity.

Pattern

Repeated design elements creating rhythm and structure.

The Paris Salon

Official French art exhibition; conservative jury influenced the rise of Impressionism.

Anonymous Society of Painters

Group of artists who held the first Impressionist exhibition in 1874.

Impression, Sunrise

Monet painting that inspired the term ‘Impressionism.’

Light & Atmosphere (Impressionism)

Focus on changing light conditions, exemplified by Monet’s Rouen Cathedral series.

Complementary Colors

Colors opposite on the wheel; placed side by side to intensify effects.

Berthe Morisot

Key woman Impressionist known for domestic and intimate scenes.

Mary Cassatt

American Impressionist focusing on private moments of upper-class life.

Chiaroscuro vs. Color Contrast

Chiaroscuro uses light/dark; color contrast juxtaposes differing hues for emphasis.

Sublime (Romanticism)

Awe-inspiring, often overwhelming beauty or terror in nature and experience.

Modern Life Themes

Impressionist focus on urban leisure, cafés, theater, and everyday scenes.

Photography’s Influence

Early cameras inspired Impressionists to capture brief, subjective moments.