Introduction to Art History: Key Concepts and Terminology

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering core terms, concepts, periods, and techniques from the course notes to aid study for the art history exam.

Art History

An academic discipline dedicated to reconstructing the social, cultural, and economic contexts in which an artwork was created to understand its meaning in its historical moment.

Formal analysis

An approach focusing on the visual qualities of a work to derive meaning; intrinsic to the artwork.

Contextual analysis

An approach that considers the cultural, social, religious, and economic contexts and later receptions to interpret a work.

Aesthetics

Philosophical inquiry into the nature and expression of beauty.

Art criticism

Explanation of current art events to the public via the press.

Fine art

Traditional categories such as paintings, prints, drawings, sculpture, and architecture created for aesthetic appreciation.

Craft

Objects dismissed as craft (textiles, pottery, body art) that may still be studied as art; often functional or decorative.

Mass-produced posters

Everyday, mass-produced items that can be considered art depending on context or perspective.

Formal qualities (elements of art)

The basic visual components of a work, such as line, shape, form, space, color, and texture.

Line

The path of a point through space; defines edges and can be horizontal, vertical, or curved.

Shape

A two-dimensional area with boundaries; can be geometric or organic.

Form

Three-dimensional volume; the apparent mass of an object.

Space

The area around and within objects; includes positive space (figures) and negative space; creates depth.

Color

Hue, value, and intensity; the color system and color schemes.

Texture

The surface quality, either actual texture or the illusion of texture.

Value

The lightness or darkness of a color or gray scale.

Intensit y

Brightness or purity of a color; unmixed colors are most intense.

Local color

The true color of an object under ordinary daylight.

Optical color

Color changes produced by lighting or perception.

Arbitrary color

Color chosen for emotional or aesthetic effect, not tied to realistic color.

Rhythm

Pattern or movement created by repeating elements in a composition.

Balance

Distribution of visual weight; can be symmetrical, asymmetrical, or approximate symmetry.

Symmetrical balance

Elements mirrored on both sides of a central axis.

Asymmetrical balance

Balance achieved with unlike elements to create a dynamic yet stable composition.

Proportion

Size relationships among parts of a composition, often tied to human scale.

Scale

Overall size of a work or the relative size of elements within it.

Perspective

Techniques to create depth on a flat surface, including linear and atmospheric perspectives.

Linear perspective

System where lines converge at vanishing points on the horizon to create depth.

Vanishing point

The point on the horizon where parallel lines appear to converge.

Aerial (atmospheric) perspective

Depth cue where distant objects appear lighter and less contrasted.

Contrapposto

Weight shifting on one leg in a figure to create a naturalistic stance.

Fractional representation

Egyptian convention showing body parts in different views to convey information.

Hierarchical scale

Using larger size to indicate the importance or rank of figures.

Gothic architecture

Style with pointed arches, ribbed vaults, flying buttresses, and emphasis on height and light.

Romanesque

Medieval architecture with thick walls, barrel vaults, and small windows.

Parthenon

Iconic Greek temple noted for Doric columns and classical architecture.

Doric, Ionic, Corinthian orders

Three classical column styles differentiated by ornamentation and capitals.

Sfumato

Leonardo’s smoky blending technique creating soft transitions and blurred outlines.

Hagia Sophia

Byzantine architectural masterpiece in Constantinople; monumental dome structure.

Gates of Paradise

Ghiberti’s Florence Baptistery doors; admired Renaissance sculpture later named by Michelangelo.

Readymade

Ordinary object designated as art by the artist’s selection or context.

Fountain

Marcel Duchamp’s urinal presented as a work of art (1917) as a readymade.

Dada

Anti-art movement protesting war; irony and irrationality; critique of culture.

Surrealism

Art exploring the unconscious and dreamlike imagery; artists include Dalí, Magritte, Miró.

Bauhaus

German design school promoting form follows function; influential in modern design.

Abstract Expressionism

Post-World War II movement focused on gesture, color, and emotion; artists include Pollock, de Kooning, Krasner.

Impressionism

19th-century movement emphasizing light, momentary impressions, and outdoor painting.

Post-Impressionism

Followed Impressionism; emphasized form and structure in color and composition.

Cubism

Early 20th-century movement by Picasso and Braque breaking objects into geometric forms and multiple viewpoints.

Photorealism

Art that aims to resemble a high-precision photograph.

Harlem Renaissance

1920s–30s African-American cultural flourishing in New York linked to jazz and visual art.

Armory Show

1913 New York exhibition introducing modern European art to America.

Nude Descending a Staircase

Picasso/Brancusi/Duchamp-influenced work that shocked audiences with abstraction of the figure.

Gothic vs. Renaissance transition

Overlap and blend of Gothic and Renaissance styles during a historical shift.

Nonwestern art

Art outside the traditional Western canon, including Asian, African, Oceanic, and Islamic traditions.

Terracotta Army

Life-size clay soldiers buried with the First Emperor of Qin.

Great Wall

Iconic Chinese fortification, example of monumental architecture.