Art History Terms

Iconography

Symbols to display specific meanings

One point linear perspective

3d illusion by using single vanishing point

Diminution

Objects appear smaller the father away they are from viewer

Orthongonals

a diagonal line that recedes into the background and converges at a vanishing point

Transversals

The horizontal or vertical lines that intersect the orthogonals at right angles

Vanishing point

an imaginary spot on the horizon line where parallel lines (called orthogonals) appear to meet and disappear,

Picture plane

the flat, two-dimensional surface of a canvas, paper, or panel on which a work of art is created

Horizon line

a theoretical horizontal line that represents the viewer's eye level in a composition

Entablature

the horizontal upper section of a Classical building located directly above the columns and below the roof

Coffered barrel Vault

combines a barrel vault (a continuous, semi-cylindrical arched ceiling) with coffers (a series of sunken, decorative square or polygonal recessed panels).

Rounded arch

a structural curved element forming a perfect half-circle that evenly distributes weight downward and outward

Ionic columns

classic style of architectural column from ancient Greece with a slender shape and spiral scroll-like designs at the top

Corinthian pilasters

shallow, flat, rectangular architectural feature projecting from a wall

Memento Mori

Reminder fo death

Quatrefoil

a symmetrical decorative shape featuring four partially overlapping or converging circles of the same diameter, creating an outline that resembles a four-leaf clover or a four-petaled flower

Typology

pairs Old Testament events or figures (types) with corresponding New Testament fulfillments centered on Jesus Christ (antitypes)

Rilievo schiacciato

(Scratched relief) an ultra-shallow sculptural relief technique where figures and background are carved into stone or bronze with a depth of only a few millimeters

Loggia

covered gallery, gallery space, or corridor that is open to the air on one or more sides, usually supported by a row of columns or arches

Contrapposto

a standing human pose where the figure's weight rests mainly on one leg, creating an asymmetrical balance with opposing tilts in the hips and shoulders (David)

Mica

shiny silicate minerals that are split into thin, translucent sheets and used to add a metallic, glittering, or reflective effect to artworks.

book of hours

personalized Christian devotional prayer book

folio

a single leaf or sheet of paper from a manuscript or book, or a large-format volume created by folding large sheets of paper in half.

manuscript illumination

the art of decorating a handwritten book with rich colors, precious metals like gold or silver, and intricate miniature illustrations

grisaille

a painting technique executed entirely in shades of gray or neutral grayish tones to imitate sculpture or establish tonal values

painted enamel

finely ground colored glass (vitreous enamel) is applied directly onto a metal surface—usually copper—and fired in a kiln without the use of metal wires or partitions to separate the colors

triptych

a work of art divided into three distinct sections or panels that work together to tell a single story or share a unified theme

clamshell perspective

Affenpinscher

a small, rare toy dog breed from Germany known for its distinct monkey-like face and spirited, fearless personality

Pattons

retable

an ornamental panel, structure, or raised shelf placed directly on or immediately behind a church altar

polychrome

monochroe

rtwork executed in a single color or a restricted range of values (tints, tones, and shades) of a single hue

Carrara marble

Italian natural stone known for its soft white or light gray background and delicate, feathery gray veining

he Arte della Lana

the powerful wool guild of medieval and Renaissance Florence

ignudi

naked men

A pendentive

A pendentive is an architectural triangular segment of a spherical surface that fills the upper corners of a room to support a circular dome on a square or rectangular base

giornata

pouncing

• Create a drawing: The artist makes a full-scale preparatory design, often called a cartoon.

• Prick holes: The artist or an assistant uses a pin, needle, or spiked tool called a pounce wheel to poke tiny holes along the outline of the drawing.

• Position the paper: The perforated paper is taped onto the final surface, such as wet plaster for a fresco.

• Apply the powder: A small cheesecloth bag filled with dark or light colored powder—called pounce, usually made of charcoal dust, chalk, or graphite—is dabbed or beaten over the holes.

• Leave an outline: The powder passes through the tiny pinholes to leave a dotted guideline on the surface below for the final painting.

mannerism

rejected natural balance for exaggerated elegance, artificiality, and distorted human forms

engaged column

a rounded column that is embedded into a wall and sticks out only partway

A blind window i

shallow, window-shaped recess or a bricked-up opening on a building's exterior or interior wall that does not let in light or air.

A martyrium (plural: martyria)

a building or shrine built over the grave of a Christian martyr or at a holy site tied to Jesus Chris