Key Concepts in Analytic and Synthetic Cubism

Analytic Cubism

type of cubism with multi-viewpoint, monochrome, and overlapping planes

assemblage

installation art with various found objects, generally three dimensional

automatism

a creative technique for producing artworks without thought, will or intervention from the conscious mind, usually in surrealism

Benday dots

mechanical printing method. The method relies upon small colored dots that are variously spaced and combined to create shading and colors in images

cantilever

a beam or slab of material that is supported only on one end

cathode ray tube

evacuated glass tube in which a stream of electrons emitted by a cathode strikes a fluorescent material, causing it to glow

collage

describes both the technique and the resulting work of art in which pieces of paper, photographs, fabric and other ephemera are arranged and stuck down onto a supporting surface

encaustic

Old medium, used by ancient Rome and Greek. Method of using pigment wax on a canvas. Translucent, semi-glass finish

frottage

made by rubbing a crayon or a pencil over paper placed over a surface with a raised design

grattage

Technique of scraping paint off a surface for texture.

manifesto

Public declaration of intentions or beliefs in art.

maquette

Small model used to represent a larger work.

primitivism

Art movement embracing simplicity and non-Western cultures.

readymade

Ordinary objects designated as art by the artist.

semiotics

Study of signs and symbols in communication.

setback

Architectural design feature creating a step-like profile.

Synthetic Cubism

Art style wuth multiple perspectives into one image.