Western Art II Terms and Periods 1

Humanism

a philosophy that emphasizes human potential, reason, and ethics, focusing on human values, dignity, and well-being rather than supernatural beliefs, advocating for individuals to find meaning and build a better world through compassion, science, and inquiry.

Classical Orders: Doric, Ionic, Corinthian

three primary classical orders of ancient Greek architecture, distinguished by their column styles: Doric is the simplest with a plain capital and no base, Ionic features scroll-like volutes on its capital and usually has a base, and Corinthian is the most ornate, with an elaborate capital decorated with acanthus leaves, representing a progression from simple to complex designs

Entablature (architrave, frieze, triglyphs, metopes, cornice)

An entablature is the horizontal section atop classical columns, comprising three main parts: the architrave (lowest beam), the frieze (middle decorative band, often with alternating triglyphs and metopes in Doric style), and the cornice (top projecting molding)

Pediment

a triangular gable, often filled with sculpture, that crowns the front of classical buildings like Greek temples, serving as both a structural element for low-pitched roofs and a decorative feature

Round Arch Construction (domes, barrel vaults, arcades)

semicircular, continuous curve architectural element that effectively transfers weight downward and outward through compression, built from wedge-shaped stones called voussoirs with a central keystone locking them in place, providing stability for openings in walls, bridges, and buildings

Module

a standardized, self-contained unit (like a cube, shape, or panel) that can be combined, rearranged, or repeated to create larger, complex artworks, emphasizing flexibility and composition

Basilica plan (nave, transept, clerestory)

a rectangular church layout, derived from ancient Roman public buildings, featuring a long central aisle (nave) flanked by lower side aisles, separated by columns, leading to a semicircular apse at the far end, often with a porch (narthex) and courtyard (atrium) at the entrance

Coffers

a grid of sunken, decorative panels (the coffers) framed by beams or moldings, adding depth and architectural elegance with a classic, box-like appearance, often used in grand spaces but adaptable for modern homes to create texture, define areas, or even incorporate lighting

Pilasters

a grid of sunken, decorative panels (the coffers) framed by beams or moldings, adding depth and architectural elegance with a classic, box-like appearance, often used in grand spaces but adaptable for modern homes to create texture, define areas, or even incorporate

Triumphal arch

a monumental, free-standing structure with one or more arched passageways, originating in ancient Rome to commemorate military victories or significant imperial events, symbolizing power and glory through elaborate decorations like sculptures, reliefs, and inscriptions, influencing later architecture globally.

Sculpture in the round vs. relief sculpture

Sculpture in the round is freestanding, fully 3D, and meant to be viewed from all angles (like a statue), while relief sculpture is attached to a background (like a wall or coin) and viewed from only one main direction, projecting out to varying degrees.

Patron/donor

a person who gives financial or other support to a person, organization, cause, or activity.

Conflated Narrative

a story that merges two or more separate narratives, events, ideas, or sets of information into a single, unified whole. 

Linear perspective (orthogonals, transversals, vanishing point)

uses orthogonals (receding lines) converging to a vanishing point on the horizon line (eye level), with transversals (lines perpendicular to orthogonals) establishing width and height, to create realistic 3D depth on a 2D surface, making objects appear smaller as they get farther away. 

Atmospheric perspective

the artistic technique and natural phenomenon where distant objects appear lighter, bluer, less detailed, and lower in contrast because the atmosphere (dust, moisture, air particles) scatters light, making faraway scenes seem hazy and faded

contrapposto

a naturalistic pose where a human figure stands with most weight on one leg, causing the shoulders and hips to tilt in opposite directions, creating a subtle S-curve in the spine and a dynamic, lifelike quality

Fresco (true and dry)

"Fresco true" (buon fresco) is painting on wet plaster, making colors part of the wall for extreme durability, while "fresco dry" (fresco secco) is painting on dry plaster using a binder (like glue or egg yolk) for the paint, making it less permanent and prone to flaking

Egg tempera

a permanent, fast-drying paint made by mixing dry powdered pigments with an emulsion of egg yolk and water (sometimes with a little vinegar or oil)

Foreshortening

an art technique creating the illusion of depth by making objects appear shorter and compressed as they recede into space or extend towards the viewer, distorting proportions to suggest three-dimensionality on a flat surface

Intuitive perspective

creating a sense of depth and space using the artist's eye, observation, and internal understanding, rather than strictly adhering to rigid mathematical rules

Triptych/Polyptych

A triptych is an artwork in three panels, often with a large central panel and two smaller, hinged side panels (wings) that can fold over, while a polyptych is a broader term for any multi-panel artwork with more than three sections, like four, five, or even many panels, often used for complex altarpieces

Woodcut

the oldest form of printmaking, a relief technique where a design is carved into a wooden block, leaving raised areas that hold ink and print, while cut-away parts remain blank

Engraving

an intaglio printmaking technique where a design is cut into a metal plate (usually copper) with a sharp, V-shaped tool called a burin, creating recessed lines that hold ink, allowing for detailed, reproducible images transferred to paper

Seven Deadly Sins

recurring theme, serving as moral allegories illustrating human frailty and vice

Genre scene

depicts ordinary, everyday life and common activities of everyday people, distinguishing itself from historical, religious, or mythological subjects by focusing on the mundane, often with storytelling or moral commentary

Chiaroscuro

a technique using strong contrasts between light and shadow to create the illusion of volume, depth, and dramatic, three-dimensional forms in paintings, drawings, and prints

Sfumato

a Renaissance painting technique using subtle, gradual blending of colors and tones to create soft, hazy transitions, eliminating harsh outlines for realistic depth and atmosphere

Central plan

an architectural layout organized symmetrically around a central point, often circular, square, or polygonal, contrasting with longitudinal (nave-focused) designs

Tenebrism

a dramatic painting style, prominent in the Baroque era (especially Caravaggio's work), using extreme contrasts of light and dark (chiaroscuro), where figures emerge from deep, murky shadows, often spotlighted by a single light source to heighten emotion, drama, and focus on specific narrative elements

Di sotto in su

an illusionistic painting technique, especially for ceilings, that uses extreme foreshortening and perspective to make figures appear as if they are floating or receding into space above the viewer, creating a sense of looking up into a real, open sky or another realm

Early Renaissance in Italy

a period of artistic and cultural rebirth in Italy, centered in Florence, marked by a renewed interest in classical antiquity, humanism, and revolutionary artistic techniques like linear perspective, foreshortening, and anatomical naturalism, moving art from flat, stylized medieval forms to realistic, three-dimensional representations of the human form and world, funded by wealthy patrons like the Medici

High Renaissance in Italy

The High Renaissance in Italy was a peak period of artistic achievement, centered in Rome and Florence, marked by iconic works from masters like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael. It synthesized early Renaissance ideals with classical beauty, focusing on harmony, idealized forms, and humanism, culminating in masterful frescoes, sculptures, and paintings that emphasized emotional depth and spiritual grandeur

Mannerism

a 16th-century style departing from Renaissance harmony with elongated figures, complex compositions, and emotional tension, emphasizing style (maniera) over naturalism, seen in artists like Bronzino and El Greco, bridging Renaissance to Baroque. 

Early Renaissance in the North

influenced by but distinct from Italy, characterized by meticulous realism, detailed oil painting (pioneered by artists like Jan van Eyck), focus on religious and secular life (especially after the Reformation), and advancements in printmaking (Dürer), with key centers in Flanders and Germany, emphasizing detailed observation over Italian classicism and perspective. 

High Renaissance in the North

Italian Renaissance ideals of humanism and naturalism merge with distinct Northern traditions, marked by intense realism, meticulous detail, and symbolic depth, especially in Flanders, Germany, and the Netherlands, focusing on religious themes, portraits, and daily life, propelled by the rise of the merchant class and the seismic impact of the Protestant Reformation, featuring masters like Dürer, Bosch, and Bruegel, and evolving genres like printmaking and genre scenes