Unit 3: The Renaissance Art Vocabulary Words

Altarpiece

A work of art that decorates the space around the altar.

Annunciation

The announcement of the birth of Christ.

Canvas

The object which is painted on.

Chiaroscuro

The use of light and shadow to create an illusion of depth.

Commission

When a client hires an artist to paint something for them.

Engraving

The carving of images into a material.

Entombment

The placing of the body of Jesus in the garden tomb.

Fresco

Pigments directly painted on the wall while still wet.

Humanism

The depiction of human nature as it really is.

Illusionism

The creation of illusions to create dimensionality.

Lamentation

An art piece by Giotto.

Last Judgment

An art piece by Giotto.

Last Supper

An art piece by Leonardo da Vinci.

Linear perspective

The recession of space.

Madonna

A representation of Mary.

Naturalism

The representation of the natural world, similar to nature.

Neoplatonism

Greek philosophy combined with Christian beliefs.

Oil paint

Painting with pigments using drying oil as the binder.

Orthogonal

Lines running backwards into the piece.

Patron

A person who financed a work of art.

Polyptych

A painting containing multiple panels.

Sfumato

Having colors shade gradually.

Tempera

Painting with pigments mixed in water or egg yolk.

Trompe l'oeil

A trick of the eye.

Triptych

Similar to a polyptych, but with three panels.

Vanishing point

The point in the distance which appears the furthest.