AP Art History Vocabulary Flashcards

Flashcards containing vocabulary terms relevant to AP Art History.

Anthropomorphic

Attributed human characteristics to non-human entities.

Archeology

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

Megalith

A large stone used in the construction of a prehistoric structure.

Cuneiform

An ancient writing system used in Mesopotamia, characterized by wedge-shaped marks.

Hierarchical scale

A system of representing the relative importance of figures by size.

Hypostyle

A design in architecture where a space is filled with columns.

Veristic

A style in Roman portraiture characterized by hyper-realism.

Tenebroso

A painting technique emphasizing dark and light contrasts.

Iconoclasm

The rejection or destruction of religious images.

Kitsch

Art or objects that are considered in poor taste but may hold a sentimental value.

Moai

Monolithic human figures carved by the Rapa Nui people on Easter Island.

Hajj

The pilgrimage to Mecca, one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Dynasty

A sequence of rulers from the same family or lineage.

Cadre

A framework or structure, often used in reference to a group of people within an organization.

Tessellation

A pattern made of one or more shapes that fit together without any gaps.

Sfumato

A painting technique used to create a soft transition between colors.

Dome

A rounded vault forming the roof of a building.

Fresco

A technique of mural painting executed upon freshly laid wet plaster.

Zoomorphic

Having animal forms or characteristics.

Prow

The front part of a ship.

Tumulus

An ancient burial mound.