ARTHISTORY QUIZ 2

The French Academy

An official art institution in France that set the rules for what “good art” should look like.

The Salon

A big, official art exhibition in France where artists showed their work to the public.

Hierarchy of genres

A ranking system that said some types of art (like history painting) were more important than others (like still lifes).

Genre painting

Paintings that show everyday life (people cooking, working, relaxing, etc.).

History painting

Paintings about important events from history, mythology, or religion.

Academic Art

Art that follows the traditional rules taught by official schools like the French Academy.

Allegory

An artwork where people, objects, or scenes represent deeper meanings or ideas (like freedom or death).

Chinoiserie

European art/design inspired by Chinese styles.

Gothic

A medieval style known for dramatic, detailed, and sometimes dark or emotional elements (especially in architecture and art).

Illusionism

Art that tries to look so real it creates the illusion of three-dimensional space.

Orientalism

Western art that depicts or is inspired by Middle Eastern or Asian cultures, often in a stereotyped or exotic way.

Rückenfigur

A figure shown from behind, looking into the scene, so the viewer can imagine being in their place.

Sublime

A feeling of awe or overwhelming greatness, often inspired by nature (like huge mountains or storms).

Daguerreotype

An early type of photograph made on a metal plate.

Engraving

A printmaking method where lines are carved into a surface and then inked to create an image.

Lithography

A printing method using a flat surface (like stone) where ink sticks only to certain drawn areas.

Foreshortening

A technique that makes objects look shorter or compressed to show depth (like a hand reaching toward you).

Naturalism

Art that tries to look realistic and true to life.

Realism

An art movement focused on showing real life, especially ordinary people and everyday situations.

Avant-garde

Art that is new, experimental, and challenges traditional ideas.

Impasto

Thick paint applied so you can see and feel the texture.

Japonisme

European art influenced by Japanese art and design.

Plein Air

Painting outdoors instead of in a studio.

Salon des Refusés

An exhibition for artworks rejected by the official Salon.

Woodblock printing

A technique where an image is carved into wood, inked, and pressed onto paper.