Global Art History Vocabulary Review

Practice flashcards for key vocabulary terms related to global art history.

Anthropomorphic

Having human characteristics or traits.

Archeology

The study of human history and prehistory through excavation and analysis of artifacts.

Megalith

A large stone used in prehistoric structures or monuments.

Shamanism

A practice that involves a practitioner reaching altered states of consciousness to interact with the spirit world.

Hieroglyphics

A system of writing using symbols or pictures representing words or sounds, used in ancient Egypt.

Cuneiform

The wedge-shaped characters used in the writing systems of ancient Mesopotamia.

Votive

An object offered to a deity or divine being as an act of devotion.

Ziggurat

A rectangular stepped tower, often associated with ancient Mesopotamian temple complexes.

Engaged column

A column that is attached to a wall and projects slightly from it.

Chiaroscuro

The use of strong contrasts between light and dark to give the illusion of volume in modeling three-dimensional objects.

Fresco

A technique of mural painting on wet plaster to allow the pigments to become an integral part of the wall.

Perspective

A technique in art to create the illusion of depth and space on a flat surface.

Tympanum

The semicircular or triangular decorative wall surface over an entrance, typically filled with reliefs.

Pietà

A sculptural or painting representation of the Virgin Mary holding the dead body of Christ.

Basilica

A large and important church building commonly found in Christianity.

Mandorla

An almond-shaped radiance that surrounds and represents the sanctity of holy figures.

Kiva

A ceremonial structure used by Puebloan cultures for religious rituals.

Mudra

A symbolic hand gesture used in Hindu and Buddhist iconography.

Islamic art

Art created within the realm of Islamic influence, noted for its intricate patterns and calligraphy.

Horror vacui

A fear of empty spaces in art; surfaces are filled with detail.