Art History vocab- Early Christian, Byzantine, Medieval, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance

Crossing

area in a church where the transept intersects the nave

narthex

The entrance porch or vestibule of a church, preceding the nave

nave

central aisle of a church extending from the entrance to the transept or altar

blind arcade

series of arches set against a solid wall having no real openings, used as a decorative feature

transept

transverse section of a church layout crossing the main nave at right angles, forming a cross shape

clerestory

elevated upper level of a wall in a basilica or cathedral containing windows to let in light

parchment

writing material made from the skin of animals

vellum

a fine, high-quality parchment prepared from calfskin

continuous narration

a visual storytelling method where multiple events of a narrative are depicted in a single frame or background without dividing barriers

icon

A sacred image depicting Christ, Mary, or saints, typically painted on wood panels and used for veneration in Byzantine Christianity

Iconoclasm

The destruction of religious images or icons due to religious or political beliefs

Fibula

A decorative brooch or pin used in antiquity and the Middle Ages to fasten garments

Cloisonné

A decorative metalworking technique using small metal strips (cloisons) soldered to a base to form compartments filled with enamel or gemstones

Relic

A surviving physical object or body part of a saint or holy person kept as a object of reverence

Reliquary

A container designed to hold and display a sacred relic

Pilgrimage

A journey undertaken to a sacred place or shrine for religious devotion

Abbey

A monastery or convent governed by an abbot or abbess

Barrel Vault

A continuous vaulted ceiling or roof formed by a semi-cylindrical arch

Radiating chapel

Small chapels projecting outward from the ambulatory or apse of a church, typically used to display relics.

Ambulatory

A covered walking aisle surrounding the apse of a church, allowing pilgrims to walk around without disturbing services.

Flying Buttresses

An inclined external masonry support structure extending from a wall to a pier, designed to counteract the outward thrust of vaulted ceilings in Gothic architecture.

Pointed Arch

An arch with a pointed crown, characteristic of Gothic architecture, which distributes weight more downward than outward

Façade

The front exterior wall or face of a building

Portal

A grand entrance or doorway, especially to a church or cathedral, often richly decorated with relief sculptures

Lux Nova

Latin for "new light"; the theological concept of colored light filtering through stained glass windows to symbolize divine presence

Orant

A figure depicted standing upright with arms outstretched in prayer

Catacomb

An underground network of tunnels and chambers used for burials

apse

A semi-circular recess vaulted with a semi-dome, located at the eastern end of a church behind the altar

Mosaic

Art created by setting small colored pieces of glass, stone, or ceramic (tesserae) into mortar

Eucharist

The Christian sacrament commemorating the Last Supper, in which bread and wine are consecrated and consumed

Spolia

Reused architectural fragments or decorative sculptures taken from older monuments and incorporated into new buildings

Pendentive

A curved triangular piece of masonry that bridges the transition between a square base layout and a circular dome above.

Central plan

An architectural layout organized symmetrically around a central point, such as a circle, octagon, or Greek cross

Cruciform plan

A church floor plan designed in the shape of a cross

Hiberno-Saxon

An art style blending Irish (Hiberno) and Anglo-Saxon traditions in the early medieval British Isles, famous for intricate knotwork manuscripts

Carpet page

A decorative page in an illuminated manuscript covered entirely with intricate geometric or zoomorphic patterns, resembling a textile

Evangelist

One of the four authors of the Gospels in the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John

Dedication page

A page in a manuscript depicting the presentation of the manuscript to a patron or royal figure

Incipit page

The opening page of a manuscript section or gospel, featuring enlarged and elaborate decorative lettering

Tympanum

The semi-circular decorative wall space over an archway or portal, bounded by a lintel and arch

Trumeau

A central vertical pillar supporting the lintel over a portal

Archivolt

Concentric bands or moldings surrounding the curved arch of a portal, often decorated with sculptures

Jamb

Vertical side posts framing a doorway or portal, often sculpted with statues in medieval churches

Embroidery

Decorative stitching applied with a needle onto woven fabric after production.

Moralized bible

A heavily illustrated medieval Bible containing paired scriptural passages and illustrations showing spiritual moral interpretations.

Fleur-de-lys

A stylized three-petaled lily design, historically used as a heraldic symbol of the French monarchy

Tempera

A fast-drying painting medium consisting of pigments mixed with a water-soluble binder, traditionally egg yolk.

Gold leaf

Extremely thin sheets of beaten gold applied to surfaces like manuscripts, panels, or halos for a shimmering effect.

Pietà

A devotional representation of the Virgin Mary cradling the dead body of Jesus Christ

Buon fresco

A painting technique where water-based pigments are applied directly onto wet plaster, bonding permanently with the wall

Fresco secco

A technique where pigments are painted onto dry plaster, making it less durable than buon fresco

Lamentation

The narrative scene depicting the mourning of Christ's followers over his body following the Crucifixion

Passion

The events and suffering of Jesus Christ leading up to and including his Crucifixion

Chiaroscuro

The contrast of light and dark values in painting to create a sense of three-dimensional volume and modeling

Grisaille

A style of monochrome painting done entirely in shades of gray to imitate stone sculpture

Trompe l'oeil:

French for "fool the eye"; a technique creating realistic optical illusions of three-dimensional space

Haggadah

A Jewish text read during the Seder service on Passover to recount the Exodus from Egypt

Seder

A ceremonial ritual feast held on the first nights of Passover

Passover

A Jewish holiday commemorating the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt

Disguised symbolism

Everyday objects depicted with hidden religious meanings and symbolic significance in Northern Renaissance painting

Patron

A financial supporter, individual, or institution that commissions works of art or architecture

Annunciation

The biblical event where the Angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will conceive Jesus Christ

Triptych

A artwork made of three hinged panels that can be folded together

Oil paint

Paint made by suspending pigments in a drying oil, allowing for slow drying, rich color layering, and fine detail

Glazes

Thin, translucent layers of oil paint applied over dry underlayers to build luminous colors and depth

95 Theses

Martin Luther's 1517 propositions challenging Roman Catholic Church practices, launching the Protestant Reformation

Reformation

A 16th-century religious movement aimed at reforming the Roman Catholic Church, leading to the creation of Protestant churches

Woodblock print (woodcut)

A relief printmaking process where an image is carved into a block of wood, ink is applied to the raised surfaces, and pressed onto paper.

Engraving

A printmaking process where design lines are incised into a metal plate with a burin tool

Predella

The raised step or lower decorative base panel supporting an altarpiece.

Resurrection

The Christian doctrine of Christ rising from the dead on the third day after his Crucifixion.

Stigmata

Bodily marks, scars, or wounds corresponding to those inflicted on Jesus during the Crucifixion

Memento mori

Latin phrase meaning "remember you must die"; an object serving as a reminder of human mortality