Art History II Final Vocab

stupa

A dome-shaped structure used in Buddhist architecture, typically containing relics and used for meditation and worship.

gopura

ornate entrance tower to a Hindu or Buddhist temple.

chattri

A decorative canopied structure, often found atop tombs or monuments.

miniature painting

A small, detailed painting, often used in manuscripts, that emphasizes linear designs, vibrant nonblended colors, and no perspective, typical of South Asian art.

Literati painting

A traditional Chinese art form that emphasizes the intellectual and scholarly attributes of the painter, often characterized by expressive brushwork and a focus on conveying emotions over realism.

Court Style Painting

A genre of Chinese painting characterized by idealized beauty, refined technique, and often includes themes of nature, poetry, and high society, developed during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

silhak movement (Korea)

A Korean artistic movement that emerged in the late 18th century, focusing on realism, everyday life, and the natural environment, contrasting with the traditional academic styles of the time.

raku ware

A type of Japanese pottery traditionally used in tea ceremonies, characterized by its hand-shaped forms

Shoin architecture

A style of Japanese architecture, characterized by elegant and functional rooms, tatami mat flooring, and an emphasis on natural elements integrated into the design.

woodblock prints

a printmaking technique originating in Japan, using carved wooden blocks to create images, often depicted in ukiyo-e style.

ukiyo-e

A genre of Japanese woodblock prints depicting landscapes, kabuki actors, and beautiful women.

Shinto

A traditional religion of Japan focused on ritual practices and beliefs in kami (deities or spirits). Shinto emphasizes harmony with nature and ancestor worship.

Zen Buddhism

Buddhism emphasizing meditation, intuition, and direct experience of enlightenment.

Pure Land Buddhism

A branch of Buddhism that focuses on faith and the belief of rebirth in a paradise known as the Pure Land

Huitzilopochtli

Aztec sun god

Coatlicue

Mother of the sun god, known as the goddess of earth and fertility in Aztec mythology.

Tenochtitlan

the capital of the Aztec Empire, known for its impressive temples and complex society.

ancestor cult

a set of practices and beliefs in which ancestors are venerated and honored, often incorporating ritual offerings and ceremonies.

power figure

a sculptural representation used to invoke spiritual assistance or strength.

récupération

the act of reclaiming or recovering cultural artifacts and practices, often used in discussions of post-colonial art. Uses found materials