Art Terminology and Concepts

Allegory

A symbolic representation that conveys deeper meanings or moral lessons.

Aniconic

Referring to art that avoids the depiction of figures or objects.

Atmospheric perspective

A technique used to create the illusion of depth by reducing color saturation and detail in objects intended to be perceived as distant.

Chiaroscuro

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

Continuous narrative

A method of storytelling in art where multiple scenes from a narrative are depicted within a single frame.

Cultural heritage

The legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society inherited from past generations.

Hatching

A technique used in drawing and engraving to create tonal or shading effects by drawing closely spaced parallel lines.

Henge

A prehistoric monument consisting of a circle of stone or wooden uprights, often surrounded by a ditch.

Hieratic scale/hierarchical scale

A visual representation in which the size of figures is determined by their social or spiritual importance.

Horizon line

The horizontal line that represents the viewer's eye level in a perspective drawing.

Iconography

The visual images and symbols used in a work of art and their interpretation.

Megalithic

Relating to large stone structures or monuments, often associated with prehistoric cultures.

Nekhbet

An ancient Egyptian goddess depicted as a vulture, symbolizing protection and motherhood.

Neolithic

The last part of the Stone Age, characterized by the development of agriculture and the use of polished stone tools.

Orthogonal

Lines that are drawn to create the illusion of depth in a two-dimensional artwork, converging at a vanishing point.

Ovoid

Having an egg-like shape; often used to describe forms in art and design.

Patron

A person who provides financial support for the arts, often commissioning works from artists.

Paleolithic

The earliest period of human history, marked by the use of stone tools and the emergence of art.

Personification

The attribution of human characteristics or behavior to non-human entities or abstract concepts.

Petroglyph

A rock carving or inscription made by removing part of a rock surface.

Pointillism

A painting technique that uses small dots of color applied in patterns to form an image.

Register

A horizontal band in a work of art that contains a specific scene or narrative.

Repetition and Unity

Artistic principles that involve the use of similar elements throughout a composition to create harmony.

Spolia

The reuse of architectural or sculptural elements in new constructions, often from earlier buildings.

Stele

A stone or wooden slab, often used as a grave marker or commemorative monument.

Radial symmetry

A symmetrical arrangement of elements radiating from a central point.

Repetition

The use of the same element multiple times in a work of art to create rhythm and unity.

Tenebrism

A painting technique characterized by the use of dramatic contrasts between light and dark.