Art History Vocab 2

Amphora

Two-handled storage jar for wine, oil, or grain.

Krater

Bowl for mixing wine and water.

Kouros

Statue of a nude young male.

Kore

Statue of a young female, usually clothed.

Protome

Decorative front part (head/upper chest) of an animal or human figure.

Black-figure pottery

Technique with black-painted figures on red clay.

Red-figure pottery

Technique with red figures on a black background.

Contrapposto

Natural stance with weight shifted onto one leg.

Relief sculpture

Figures carved projecting from a flat background.

Sculpture in the round

Free-standing sculpture visible from all sides.

Canon of proportions

Mathematical system defining ideal human body ratios.

Polykleitos’ canon (1:7)

Idealized, balanced proportions.

Lysippos’ canon (1:8)

Taller, slimmer proportions.

Harmony

Proportion and visual balance creating beauty.

Attribute

Symbol identifying a deity (e.g., Athena’s shield).

Arete

Greek concept of excellence, virtue, or moral perfection.

Gigantomachy

Mythological battle between gods and giants.

Theatricality

Drama, emotion, and movement in Hellenistic art.

Doric

Plain capital, no base, triglyphs and metopes.

Ionic

Volute (scroll) capital, base, continuous frieze.

Corinthian

Ornate capital with acanthus leaves.

Acropolis

Fortified hilltop of a city, site of major temples.

Temple

Building dedicated to a god or goddess.

Treasury

Small building for offerings and valuables.

Cella (Naos)

Inner chamber housing the deity’s statue.

Pediment

Triangular section above the temple’s façade.

Frieze

Horizontal band of sculpted or painted decoration.

Triglyph & Metope

Alternating panels in a Doric frieze.

Stylobate

Top step or platform supporting columns.

Entasis

Slight swelling in a column to correct optical illusion.

Optical refinements

Subtle design adjustments for visual perfection.

Caryatids

Sculpted female figures functioning as columns.

Panathenaic Procession

Athenian festival procession honoring Athena.

Sculptural program

The complete set of sculptures decorating a building.

Etruria

Region of central Italy inhabited by the Etruscans.

Magna Graecia

“Greater Greece,” referring to Greek colonies in southern Italy.

Funerary art

Art created for tombs or commemorating the dead.

ROMA QUANTA FUIT IPSA RUINA DOCET

“Rome, your ruins show how great you were.”

Spoils (spoila)

Reused or stolen architectural/sculptural elements.

Cultural heritage / repatriation / looting

Issues around artifact ownership.

Emulation

Roman imitation of Greek art.

Verism / Veristic portraiture

Extremely realistic portraiture showing age and flaws.

Syncretism

Blending of different religious or cultural traditions.

Mosaic

Image made from small pieces (tesserae) of stone or glass.

Tesserae

Individual pieces in a mosaic.

Egyptomania

Roman fascination with Egyptian culture.

Concrete

Roman building material allowing massive structures.

Propaganda

Art used to convey political power or message.

Deification / Apotheosis

Turning an individual (often an emperor) into a god.

Forum (pl. fora)

Central public square for politics, religion, and commerce.

Dome

Rounded vault forming a roof.

Oculus

Circular opening at the top of a dome.

Liturgy

Public religious ritual or ceremony.

Ruins

Remains of ancient buildings symbolizing past greatness.

Roman Republic

Era before emperors, ending with Julius Caesar’s assassination (44 BCE).

Roman Empire

Imperial rule beginning with Augustus.

Battle of Actium (31 BCE)

Naval battle where Augustus defeated Antony and Cleopatra.

Roman victory over Judaea (71 CE)

Marked by the Arch of Titus.