Art History Exam 2

Amphitheatre

A large circular or oval open-air venue with seating around a central performance area, used for events like gladiator games.

Archaic Smile

A slight, stylized smile seen on early Greek statues, used to indicate life.

Architectural Orders

The three classical Greek column styles: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian, each with distinct designs.

Barrel Vault

A tunnel-shaped ceiling formed by extending an arch.

Black-Figure Technique

Greek pottery style where figures are painted black on a red background, with details scratched in.

Canon

A set of rules for proportions in art, especially the ideal human body (developed by Polykleitos).

Caryatid

A sculpted female figure used as a column.

Christianity

A monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Coffering

Sunken decorative panels in a ceiling, often seen in Roman architecture.

Concrete Architecture

Roman building method using concrete, allowing stronger and more complex structures.

Contrapposto

A naturalistic pose where weight is shifted onto one leg, creating a relaxed stance.

Corinthian Order

The most decorative Greek column style, featuring elaborate capitals with acanthus leaves.

Cornice

The uppermost horizontal part of an entablature, projecting outward.

Dome

A rounded, hemispherical roof or ceiling.

Doric Order

The simplest Greek column style, with no base and a plain capital.

Engaged Column/Pilaster

A column partially embedded in a wall (decorative rather than structural).

Entablature

The horizontal structure above columns, consisting of the architrave, frieze, and cornice.

Fresco (buon fresco)

Painting technique where pigment is applied to wet plaster so it becomes part of the wall.

Frieze

A horizontal band, often decorated with relief sculpture.

Greek gods/goddesses

Deities of Greek mythology, such as Zeus, Athena, and Apollo.

Groin Vault

Formed by the intersection of two barrel vaults at right angles.

Idealized

Representing subjects in perfected, flawless form rather than realistic detail.

Ionic Order

A Greek column style with scroll-like (volute) capitals and a base.

Keystone

The central wedge-shaped stone at the top of an arch that locks it in place.

Kore/Kouros

Archaic Greek statues: Kore (female, clothed), Kouros (male, nude).

Metope

A square panel between triglyphs in a Doric frieze, often decorated.

Oculus

A circular opening at the top of a dome.

Olympics

Ancient Greek athletic games held in honor of Zeus.

Paganism

Polytheistic religious practices outside of major monotheistic religions.

Pax Romana / Pax Augustus

A long period of peace and stability in the Roman Empire initiated by Augustus.

Pediment

A triangular gable found above the entrance of Greek temples.

Praxiteles

A famous Greek sculptor known for graceful, naturalistic statues (e.g., Aphrodite of Knidos).

Red-Figure Technique

Greek pottery style with red figures on a black background, allowing more detailed painting.

Republic

A form of government where citizens elect representatives (early Rome before emperors).

Role of women

In ancient Greece and Rome, women generally had limited political rights and were expected to manage households.

Gods/goddesses

Divine beings worshipped in polytheistic religions (general term).

Sarcophagus

A stone coffin, often decorated with sculpture.

Terracotta

A clay-based ceramic material used for sculpture and pottery.

Theater

A venue for dramatic performances, especially important in Greek culture.

Toga

A draped garment worn by Roman male citizens.

Triglyph

A panel with three vertical grooves in a Doric frieze.

Verism

A Roman artistic style emphasizing realistic and sometimes harsh details.

Voussoir

A wedge-shaped stone used to construct arches.

Wet Drapery

A sculptural technique where clothing clings to the body, revealing form beneath.