Art History Survey II Terms, Final

Gita Govinda

A poem created by Jayadeva that expresses the relationship between Krishna and Radha. Usually performed by dancers in front of temples, and the poem is incorporated into a song.

Literati Painting

A traditional East Asia artstyle that expresses personal feelings and thoughts. Incorporates painting with poetry, seal art, and calligraphy.

Zen

A school of Mahayana Buddhism that emphasizes enlightenment through meditation and direct intuition, rather than scripture study. Implies calm, being focused, and acceptance.

Tea Ceremony

A ritualized practice of preparing and serving tea. Involves the production of matcha and emphasizes hospitality, mindfulness, and aesthetics.

Diviner/Divination

A healer, who does so by communicating with the gods through divination (such as tarot).

Masquerade

Initiation rituals where masks are worn to conceal the identity of the wearer. Masks can be used in initiating girls to womanhood or boys to manhood. Accompanied by dancing and a sense of community (social glue).

Rococo

1715 to 1760s, A style of painting characterized by light, graceful, and painterly brush strokes emphasizing painterly vs drawing. Involved themes of nature and the upper class.

Sublime

Feelings of awe mixed with terror.

Avant-Garde

Artists that push the boundaries of art, pushing the boundaries and expectations of their time.

Plein-Air Painting

The act of painting outdoors to fully capture natural light and scenes in real time.

Pointilism

A technique of painting that uses small dots of pure color to form an image.