The Foundations of Art Appreciation

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture on art appreciation.

Prehistoric Art

Art from c. 40,000 – 4,000 BCE, focused on survival and ritual, using natural pigments.

Cave Paintings

Early human art created in caves, using natural pigments to depict scenes of life.

Fertility Figurines

Small statuettes created in prehistoric times, often representing fertility and women.

Humanism

An artistic focus in Classical Greece that emphasized human values and the study of human anatomy.

Byzantine Art

A style of art from the Medieval period characterized by flat images with gold backgrounds.

Chiaroscuro

A technique used in art to create the illusion of depth through the contrast of light and shadow.

Impressionism

An art movement focused on capturing the effects of light and fleeting moments.

Cubism

An art movement where objects are broken into geometric shapes for representation.

Pluralism

The idea in contemporary art that there is no single right way to create or interpret art.

Art Appreciation

The ability to understand the processes and context behind the creation of a work of art.

Art as Communication

The concept of art being a medium to transmit messages or narratives between creator and observer.

Visual Arts

Art forms that are primarily visual in nature, including painting, drawing, and photography.

Performing Arts

Art forms involving time and the human body such as music, dance, and theater.

Social Reform in Art

The use of art to influence societal changes or highlight injustices.

Art as a Process

The transition from a mental concept to a finished artistic product.

Art as Expression

The manifestation of an artist's inner thoughts and emotions through their work.

Ancient Art

As civilizations formed, art became a tool for religion and political power.

Mesopotamia & Egypt

Art was rigid and symbolic, designed to honor gods and god-

kings (Pharaohs).

Classical Greece & Rome

The focus shifted to Humanism and Idealism.

Greeks, Romans

The _____ mastered the human anatomy, while the ______ used art for grand architecture and

political propaganda.

Medieval / Middle Ages

Following the fall of Rome, art in the West became almost exclusively religious (Christian).

The Renaissance

A "rebirth" of classical learning and a bridge between the Middle Ages and modern history.

Baroque

Characterized by intense emotion, movement, and dramatic lighting (e.g., Caravaggio).

Neoclassicism

A return to the restrained, orderly style of Greece and Rome, often used

during the French Revolution.

Modern Art

This era saw a radical break from tradition. Artists stopped trying to "copy" nature and started expressing their internal world.

Surrealism

Exploring the subconscious and dreams (Dalí).

Abstract Expressionism

Pure emotion through color and gesture (Pollock).

Contemporary Art

not a "style" but a time period. It is characterized by Pluralism—the idea that there is no single right way to make art.

Art

Derived from the Latin ars, meaning "skill," "craft," or "specialized ability."

Artist

a person who performs any of the creative arts

The Assumptions of Art

These are the foundational philosophies that define the nature of art

Art is Universal

It exists in every culture and every age. It is the "global language" of humanity.

Art is Not Nature

Art is a human creation. A sunset is nature; a painting of a sunset is art (a human interpretation).

Art involves Experience

You cannot know art without sensory engagement. It must be felt, seen, or heard.

Art is Cultural

It reflects the values, beliefs, and traditions of the society that produced it.

Art as Expression

It is the manifestation of the artist's inner thoughts and emotions.

Art as Communication

Art transmits messages or narratives from the creator to the observer.

Art is a Choice

Every detail in a work of art is a deliberate decision made by the artist.

Art is a Process

It is the transition from a mental concept to a finished physical or digital product.

Literary Arts

The art of the written word (Poetry, Prose, Drama).

Multimedia Arts

Works that combine multiple mediums (Film, Video Games, Digital Animation).

Applied Arts

Artistic design for functional objects (Fashion, Interior Design, Graphic Design).