GLOSSARY
Terms You Might Use in the Galleries
Sources for the following terms: Art Through the Ages (Harcourt, 12th ed.), From Abacus to
Zeus (Pearson-Prentice Hall, 7th ed.), and Dictionary of Art Terms (Thames and Hudson,
2nd ed.)
abacus (AB a·kus) In architecture, a block-shaped member of a column capital. In arithmetic,
a board with lines and spaces used to count
abstract In painting and sculpture, that which is non-representational; natural forms are given
designs that have little visual reference to any object or form depicted
acanthus (uh·KAN thus) A prickly plant of the Mediterranean region with large, deeply cleft,
and scalloped leaves; used as decorations on capitals, moldings, friezes, etc.
acrylic A painting medium which dries quickly, creates a water-resistant surface, and is nonfading and non-yellowing. Additives are used to create various effects.
action painting A painting method in which the artist uses a brush, putty knife, stick, tube, or
can to apply (brush, squeeze, drip, throw) paint on to a surface. Sometimes called
“gestural painting”
aesthetics Pertaining to the beautiful and to the associations of character, creation,
perception, and evaluation of art
alabastron (al·uh·BAS tron; pl. alabastra, al·uh·BAS tra) A small pear-shaped bottle of glass or
pottery with a narrow neck and flaring mouth used to hold perfumes and oils
altarpiece A painted or sculptured panel or shrine placed behind and above an altar
amphora (AM fo·ra; pl. amphorae, AM fo·ri) An egg-shaped, two-handled pottery jar used for
storage, mainly of liquids; sometimes without a foot
ampulla (am·PUL la; pl. ampullae, am·PUL li) A miniature amphora of glass or pottery used for
holding water or oil
amulet (AM u·let) A good-luck charm to protect the wearer from evil or harm
ankh (ank) A hieroglyph signifying life. In Egypt, a cross with a ring at the top
anthropomorphism (an·thro·po·MOR phism) Attribution of human characteristics to
nonhumans: e.g., a human form, human characteristics, or human behavior given to
nonhuman things, such as mythological figures and animals
annealing (an·NEEL ing) The process of heating metal or glass to red hot and then cooling it
slowly to make the material less brittle and more workable
archaeologist A person who excavates and analyzes the artifacts and other remains of
historic and prehistoric peoples
Archaic art The artistic style of 600-480 BCE in Greece, characterized in part by the use of
the composite view for painted and relief figures and of Egyptian stances for statues
aryballos (ar·u·BAL us; pl. aryballoi, ar·u·BAL loy) A round, narrow-necked vessel for oil or
perfume
artifact Something produced by human work; in archaeology, a simple form of art
asymmetry Not of identical elements on both sides of an axis, but not necessarily unbalanced
atrium The open court of a Roman house; the open court in front of a church
attribute (AT tri·bute) A quality, characteristic, mark, or object associated with a person or
deity
avant-garde (ah·vahnt·GARD; Fr. belonging to the vanguard) The leaders (artists, patrons,
critics, etc.) whose work and taste are in the latest stylistic direction
axis The imaginary line(s) around which a figure, building, picture, or parts of a picture are
arranged
balance The equilibrium among the parts of a composition; to be of equal weight, value, force,
etc., on both sides of an axis; not necessarily made up of identical elements
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basilica (ba·SIL i·ka) A large public hall first used by Romans, then by Christians as a church
black-figure technique A style of pottery painting in which the decoration appears in black on
a red ground (The black color in both the black-figure and the red-figure techniques
occurs during the firing process.)
block statue In ancient Egyptian sculpture, a cubic stone image with simplified body parts
Book of Hours A Christian book for private devotions containing prayers for the canonical
hours of the day, often elaborately illustrated
bronze An alloy of copper and usually tin; is a hard metal and sonorous but easy to cast
bust A sculpture showing only the upper part of the body, including a portion of the shoulders
and chest
buttress An exterior structure built against a wall to strengthen it
Byzantine The art, territory, history, and culture of the Eastern Christian Empire and its capitol
of Constantinople (ancient Byzantium)
caduceus (ca·DUE cee·us) The winged staff with two snakes twined around the shaft that is
carried by the god Hermes and used as an attribute of the god of medicine, Asclepius
calligraphy The art of ornamental penmanship, in the West using a pen, in the East using a
brush
calligraphic painting Asian ink paintings made with the same brush as printing and with the
same foundation of strokes
cameo Stone carved in low relief; on banded stone, relief is in one color, the background in
another
cartouche The oval frame made by a rope or rope design protecting the name of an Egyptian
pharaoh; by extension, any ornamental frame
caryatid (KAR ee·AT id) A female figure used as a column (a male figure is called an atlas)
casein A painting medium in which pigment is mixed with milk and sometimes used for under
painting an oil. It is quick drying and lusterless.
casting A method of forming a shape by pouring molten metal or glass or plaster into a mold
bearing its impression
cathedral A church which contains the official throne of a bishop
centaur In ancient Greek mythology, a creature with the head, arms and torso of a man and
the body and legs of a horse
ceramics Objects made of fired clay. Three basic types are:
earthenware fired at lower temperatures
stoneware fired at high temperatures; holds water without firing
porcelain fired at high temperatures; white, translucent, and vitreous
chasing Hammering the metal down from the front to produce a low relief design with linear
margins; its opposite is repoussé, hammering design up from back of piece of sheet metal
chiaroscuro (kee·AR o·SKOOR o) In painting, the use of gradations of light and dark within a
picture to create form
chiton (KITE on) A light, one-piece Greek tunic fastened with buttons or pins and worn by men
and women, the essential and often only garment
cippus (CIP pus) A small, low pillar (round or square) commonly having an inscription, used
by the ancients as a boundary stone, tombstone, or site marker
Classical art The art and culture of Ancient Greece between 480 and 323 BCE; generally, art
which aspires to a state of ideal equilibrium
collage A composition made by combining various materials (paper, fabric, photographs, etc.)
on a flat surface
color An element of design that identifies natural and manufactured things as being red,
yellow, blue, etc. The two basic variables in color are the amount of light reflected (value
and tone) and the purity (saturation and intensity).
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column A vertical, circular architectural member used to carry weight; consists of a base, a
shaft, and a capital
composite view Representation in which part of a figure is shown in profile and another part
frontally; also called simultaneous representation
composition The arrangement of separate parts to create a whole
connoisseur (kon·nuh·SUR) A person who is an expert on works of art and the individual
styles of artists
contour The outline of an object or shape
contrapposto (kon·tra·POS toh) Opposition of parts of a human body to other parts; a pose in
which the body’s weight is supported by one leg (the engaged leg) so that the tension of
one side is contrasted with the relaxation of the other (the free leg)
cool colors Blue and associated hues that normally appear to recede and tend to be calming
crypt (kript) A chamber under a building, wholly or partly underground
cuneiform (koo·NEE ih·form) Writing from ancient Mesopotamia in which the characters are
wedge-shaped
Cycladic art (cy·CLA dik) The prehistoric art (ca. 3000-2000 BCE) of the Aegean islands
around Delos, excluding Crete
cylinder seal A small cylindrical stone decorated with incised patterns. When rolled across
soft clay, a raised pattern or design is produced.
decoration The design applied to furniture, ceramics, glass, enamel, textiles, paintings, etc.;
common decorations include:
acanthus leaf
dentil
palmette
bead-and-reel
dot/dot chain
ring
box
egg-and-dart
rosette
cable
hatching/cross hatching
scallop shell
carinate
herringbone
stripe
checker
ivy leaf/vine
swastika
chevron
lozenge
triangle
circle/semi-circle
meander
zigzag
Daedalic style (dead·DAL ik) The Greek sculptural style between the Geometric and the
Archaic (660–620 BCE) with strong Egyptian and Cretan influences
design/composition The general form (composition) of a building or work of art
diptych (DIP tik) Two panels or leaves that can be folded, used for altarpieces and private
devotionals
drapery In sculpture and painting, the clothing and hangings which can be used to express
emotion and action and to create atmosphere
drolleries The fanciful designs and playful characters in the margins of medieval manuscripts
and on church furniture
emboss Any process designed to make a pattern or composition stand out in relief
enamel Colored paste which bonds to metal and becomes like glass when fired
encaustic (en·KAWS tik) A method of painting in which pigment is mixed with beeswax on a
heated palette and applied to a rigid surface. It dries quickly and colors are permanent.
engraving An intaglio process in which 1) lines are incised into the surface of metal plate
(copper, zinc, steel), 2) ink is rubbed into the lines and the surface wiped clean, 3) a sheet
of damp paper is laid on the plate, topped by layers of felt, and 4) a press forces the paper
into the lines and it picks up the ink. The finished print is the reverse of the incised design.
etching An intaglio process in which 1) lines are drawn with a steel needle through an acidresistance ground (made of wax, pitch, mastic, asphalt) on metal, 2) the plate is then
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submerged in an acid bath which “etches” the exposed image into the metal, 3) the plate is
dabbed with ink and the surface wiped clean, 4) the plate is pressed. The finished print is a
reverse of the etched design. This process allows for correction and change.
façade (fa·SAHD) The term to describe the exterior wall of a building, especially the front
faience (fay·AHNS) An opaque glaze made of quartz or sand; also refers to pottery covered
with opaque glazes
fête galante (fayt ga·LAHNT) An elegant celebration or courtly scene; associated with Rococo
painting
fetish An object believed to possess magical powers, especially for oneself
fibula A Greek invention, a pin with a clasp used to fasten a tunic at the shoulder
figure-ground Refers to the visual relationship of a shape to its background; usually the figure
is in front of the ground
filigree work A jewelry technique in which thin metal wires are soldered to a background or
used as openwork decoration
flat color In painting, color that has little or no variation of texture, hue, or value
foreshortening In painting, making an object seem shorter than it is in order to create an
illusion of proper relative size; done by depicting the object lying at an angle
form The individual shapes and volumes and their relationships in a work of art or building; the
synthesis of elements which gives the piece its distinctive character
frieze (freez) In architecture and furniture design, any sculpted or painted horizontal band of
decoration
fresco Painting in wet plaster (true fresco) with pigments suspended in water, in contrast to
painting in dry plaster (fresco secco) with pigments suspended in a binding medium
frontal In painting and sculpture, describes a subject which faces a viewer directly, not in
profile or at an angle
genre (ZHAHN rah) Art that depicts everyday life; also refers to a type of painting by its
content, i.e., still-life, landscape, portraiture, or history painting
Geometric art Greek art of the period ca. 800-660 BCE when pottery was covered with a
network of fine geometric patterns and humans and animals were stylized to their basic
shapes
gesso (JESS so) Gypsum (hydrated calcium sulfate) prepared for use as a surface for painting
glaze In ceramics, a glassy, non-porous coating on pottery; in painting, a transparent layer of
paint over another layer
glyptic (GLIP tik) Of carving; a carved object
granulation A technique for decorating gold and silver jewelry in which tiny balls of metal are
soldered on in decorative patterns
griffin A composite creature with the head, wings, and claws of an eagle and the body and
hind legs of a lion
hand The unique way an artist works with his medium, recognizable by brushstrokes, color
palette, treatment of subjects, etc.
hatching Using fine lines close together to effect shading in drawing and engraving
Hellenistic art Greek art of the period 323-150 BCE marked by action and emotion
highlights Parts of an art work that reflect the most light; created in painting by leaving the
paper white or using light colors, in sculpture by creating shadowed areas
himation (hi·MAT shun) In Ancient Greece, an outer mantle or cloak worn by men and women
over the chiton
hue The property of a color which gives it its name–red, green, yellow, etc.
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hydria (HIGH dree·uh; pl. hydriai, HIGH dree·i) A jar with three handles (two for carrying and
one for pouring) used for carrying water
icon (eye·KON) A panel painting representing a sacred figure of the Greek or Russian
Orthodox Church, painted according to established pictorial conventions; any object of
veneration
iconography (eye·kon·OG ra·fee) The study of meanings associated with objects, persons
and events in art; this requires interpreting attributes, signs and symbols, composition,
setting, costumes, and gestures; also refers to the attributes themselves
idealization Depicting people, objects, scenes, etc., according to some preconceived ideal or
form, not as they are naturally
illumination Decoration of leaves of a manuscript, often with gold, silver, and bright colors
inlay A decorative process in which pieces of one material are set into the surface of an object
made from a different material
illusionism An attempt by an artist to make the unreal appear real
impasto (em·PAH sto) A painting technique in which a thick layer or lumps of paint are put on
a canvas
intaglio (in·TAHL ee·oh) A method of reproducing a design in which paper is 1) pressed onto
an etched or engraved surface that has been inked and wiped, leaving incisions inked; 2)
then pressed into the inked recessions in the plate. In stones/gems, intaglio is the opposite
of cameo.
intensity The strength, brightness, or purity of a color. The more intense the color, the less it
has been weakened with neutrals or its complementary color.
jamb The side of a doorway or window frame
kantharos (KAN·tho·ros; pl. kantharoi, kan·tha·ROY) A two-handled goblet with a deep bowl
kiln (kiln) A large oven in which pottery is fired
kinetic sculpture Sculpture which is made to be seen while all or part of it is set in motion by
mechanical or natural means
kore (KOR ay; pl. korai, kor I) An Archaic statue of a draped standing maiden
kouros (KOOR aus; pl. kouroi, KOOR roy) An Archaic statue of a nude standing male youth
krater A large bowl with a broad body, wide mouth and two handles, used for mixing wine and
water
kyathos (KEE·uh·thos; pl. kyathoi, KEE uh·thoy) A deep bowl on a foot, often with a handle
rising above the rim
kylix (KY liks; pl. kylixes, KY liks·ees) A tall, stemmed, shallow drinking cup with two handles
near the rim
lapis lazuli (LAP is LA zoo·lee) A semiprecious stone used for carving and for making
ultramarine blue pigment
lekythos (LEK ih·thos; pl. lekythoi, LEK ih·thoy) A tall, cylindrical, one-handled vase used for oil
line A mark made by a moving point. In art, a line defines space and may create a silhouette
or define a contour, creating the illusion of mass and volume
lithography (li·THOG ra·fee) A process in which 1) the image is drawn or painted with a greasy
substance onto a flat plate or stone, 2) the surface is then chemically treated so that the
image accepts ink and the non-image area repels ink, 3) paper is placed upon its surface,
and rolled through a press under great pressure. The finished print is the reverse of the
original design. The term has commercial connotation because lithography is suited to color
printing and bold, large areas and lines.
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lunette (loo·NET; Fr. little moon) A semicircular space, often containing a windowpane or a
mural, above a window or doorway
lost-wax casting A casting technique in which a model is first made of wax, which is then
enclosed in a clay and plaster mold. The wax is melted out and molten metal is run in to
replace it.
mandorla An almond-shaped light surrounding the whole of a sacred figure, such as Christ
medium The material or technique with which an artist works
millefiore glass (mila·fi·OR uh; It. 1000 flowers) Brightly colored discs of glass fused together;
each disc consists of thin colored rods fused together
miniature A very small portrait; a picture in an illuminated manuscript
Minoan art (Mi·NO·an) The period of ca. 1700-1200 BCE on Crete, known for its palaces with
frescoes on the walls depicting naturalism in painting animals and plants
modeling In clay, the shaping of three-dimensional forms; in painting and drawing, the
creation of light and dark by gradations of value
molding A band of decorated, recessed, or projected design, intended to break up a flat
surface
monumental Describes any structure, painting, figure, etc., which is grand, massive, and
appears permanent
mosaic The inlaying or affixing small pieces of stone, glass, or terracotta to a base to create a
decoration
motif (moh·TEEF) The prominent feature of the subject or form of a work of art
mural A large painting or artwork, usually designed for and created on the wall or ceiling of a
public building
Mycenaean art (My·SEE·ne·an) The period of ca. 1700-1200 BCE on the mainland of Greece
which produced palace complexes, tholos tombs, and gold work
naturalism The concept that art should conform as closely as possible to nature
niche (nitch or neesh) A hollow in a wall, often arched, usually intended to hold a work of art
nimbus The disc or halo, usually golden, placed behind the head of a saint or sacred
personage
objet d’art (objay·DAR) A piece of decorative art of small size and, generally, exquisite finish
obsidian A dark, hard, glassy volcanic rock
obverse On coins or medals, the side that bears the principal type or inscription. The opposite
side is reverse
odalisque (OH da·lisk) A female harem slave, often painted nude, reclining
oeuvre (UH vreh; Fr. work) Works, as in an artist’s lifetime production
oil painting A type of painting in which pigment is mixed with oils (such as linseed, nut, or
poppy seed) and thinned with turpentine or petroleum. It is durable and a wide range of
textural effects are possible.
oinochoe (o·NO kee·eh; pl. oinochoai, oy·no·kee·I) A pitcher-shaped jug with a handle used
for pouring liquids
olpe (OL pee; pl. olpes, OL pies) A jug with a round mouth and sagging belly. Unlike the
oinochoe, it has no spout.
order In Classical architecture, a system of a column and its entablature. Doric, Corinthian,
and Ionic are the principal orders.
Orientalizing Art The period of ca. 700-600 BCE in which increased contact with the East
(such as Anatolia, Assyria, and Egypt) influenced Greek art. Floral and animal motifs
appeared on black-figure vases.
ossuary A container or receptacle to hold the bones of the dead
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ostracon (OS tra·kon; pl. ostraca, OS tra·kah) A shell, flake of limestone, or sherd (broken
piece of pottery) on which sketches and written notes were made
painterly A style of painting that embraces, shows, and elaborates the medium in which it is
created, marked by openness of forms with shapes formed by variations of color rather than
by outline or contour
palmette A fan-shaped ornament with radiating leaves that are always odd numbered with the
central leaf the largest
palette The colors typically used by an artist; literally, a thin board on which the artist mixes
colors
papyrus A native Egyptian rush from which the ancient Egyptians made a form of paper
parchment Any animal skin prepared for writing or painting; vellum refers specifically to calf
skin
pastels Finely ground pigments pressed into sticks; colors in any medium that are pale
patina (pa·TEEN a) The green, oxidized layer that forms on bronze and copper
pediment (PED·i·ment) The triangular space formed by the pitched roof at the ends of a
building
pelike (PEL a·kee) A pear-shaped, two-handled vase used for storage
pentimento (PEN·ti·men·to; It. regrets) Refers to images that were painted over but, as the
painting ages, become apparent
peplos (PEP loz) A heavy, one-piece garment worn by women. It was fastened at the
shoulders with pins and was often worn with an overfold.
perspective The representation of three-dimensional objects in a two-dimensional space.
Linear perspective uses parallel lines converging on a single point on the horizon (the
vanishing point).
Aerial (atmospheric) perspective creates the illusion of distance by the diminishment of
color intensity and the blurring of contours.
phiale (FEE·uh·lee; pl. phialai, FEE uh li) A shallow bowl without handles used for making
libations and for drinking
pictograph A picture that represents an idea; also used in writing
pigment Finely ground or mixed coloring material (plant, vegetable, mineral) used in making
paint, chalk, crayon, etc.
piriform Pear-shaped
plaster Term used for the white powder formed by gypsum or lime. It is sometimes used
incorrectly for stucco.
plastic Molded; sculpted in three dimension
plein air painting (plen·air) Painting done out of doors; painting which represents the effects
of outdoor light
pointillism The use of dots of color to create an image; when viewed at a distance, pointillism
creates a luminous effect
polychrome Having several colors rather than one (monochrome)
post-and-lintel system An architectural system based on vertical supports for horizontal
members: two posts support a lintel
portrait Any form of art expression that features a specific person or animal
pottery Objects made of clay, usually fired to produce a hard, porous surface (Porcelain is in a
separate class. See ceramics.)
predella (pray·DEL la) The base of an altarpiece, frequently decorated with themes related to
those of the altarpiece
protome In pottery, the likeness of a head of a person, deity, or animal
print An image which exists in multiple copies and which has been taken from a woodblock,
engraved plate, silkscreen stencil, lithographic stone, etc.
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profile The side view of an object or person
proportion The ratio of one part to another; the relationship of each part to the whole and to
other parts
provenance (PROV e·nanz) The place of origin; source; a record of all known previous owners
and locations of a work of art
provenience (pro·VEN ne·ens) The source or origin of something in archaeology; the
horizontal and vertical position where an object was found
putto (POO toe; pl. putti, POO tee) Cupid-like child used in the decoration of architecture and
painting
pyxis (PIX ehs; pl. pyxides, PIX eh·dees) A small, lidded jar or box in pottery, metal, stone or
wood for holding cosmetics, jewelry, and other precious objects
quatrefoil (KAT re·foyl) A four-lobed decorative shape or design
raku (ra·COO) A sub-group of earthenware, low-fired; also refers to a Japanese firing
technique
realism The depiction of people, objects, scenes, etc., according to nature, not idealization
recto The more important side of a two-sided object; in a book, the right-hand page; opposite
verso
red-figure technique A style of pottery painting in which the figures are left in the red of the
clay while the background is filled in and turns black during the firing process. Details can
be painted on with a brush.
register One of a series of horizontal bands of decoration or narrative, one above the other
relief sculpture Sculpture which is not freestanding but is carved or cast so that the figures
project from the surface. The degree of relief can be high (almost detached from the
surface), medium, or low (also called bas-relief).
reliquary A small container, often made of precious materials, used as a repository for sacred
relics
repoussé (reh·poo·SAY) A metal working technique in which a design is raised by hammering
on the reverse of a metal sheet; embossing
representation A likeness, image, picture; objects or figures are easily identified
rhyton (RY ton; pl. rhyta, RY ta) A vessel in the shape of a figure or animal, used for drinking
or pouring liquids on ceremonial occasions
rhythm A principle of design that indicates a type of movement in an artwork or design, often
created by repeated shapes, lines or colors
rosette Any ornament resembling a flower and circular in shape
salon A reception room in a large house; an art exhibition, such as the French Salon started in
the 18th C.; a room of an art exhibition
sarcophagus (sar·KOF a·gus) A rectangular stone coffin exposed to view, often decorated
with relief sculpture
saturation The purity of a hue
satyr (SAT ur) In Greek mythology, a half-man, half-goat follower of Dionysus
scale The size of an object related to other objects of its kind or to man; in architecture, the
relation of the actual size of a structure to its representational size
school A group of artists working in a similar style; the influence on an artist by another artist
or the style of the region
sculpture The art of carving wood, chiseling stone, casting and welding metal, modeling clay
or wax into three-dimensional representations of figures and forms
sculpture in the round Freestanding figures carved in three dimensions
sfumato (sfoo·MA toh) A smoke-like haziness that subtly softens the outlines in a painting
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shade A basic hue mixed with black; frequently used to create darkened areas
shading In art, a darkened portion to represent areas cut off from direct light
shape Formed whenever a line turns or lines meet, even though an area may not be entirely
enclosed; a shape can be called C-shape, S-shape, T-shape, etc.
sherds (potsherds) Broken pottery from earlier civilizations; used in archaeological study
silkscreen A stencil process in which 1) a fine-mesh material is stretched within a frame, 2)
the non-image blank is affixed to the material, and 3) semi-liquid ink is scraped over the
material and passes through the open areas of the stencil onto the paper or fabric beneath
it
sketch A painting or drawing capturing the essence of an object or scene, giving an idea or
outline of it or a part of it
skyphos (SKE fos; pl. skyphoi, SKE foy) A shallow two-handled drinking cup on a foot with
horizontal handles
slip A mixture of clay and water brushed onto pottery as a final decorative coat, also used to
attach parts such as handles
space The actual area an object occupies or a building encloses and the illusionistic
representation of space in painting and sculpture
spindle whorl A weight attached to the end of a spindle to facilitate manipulation of the thread
in spinning
stela (Latin) (STE la; pl. stelae, STEE li) or stele (Greek) (STEE lee; pl. stelai, STEE li) A carved
or painted stone slab, used as a grave marker or to hold decrees
still life A painting of inanimate objects with subjects such as books, flowers, bowls, etc.
stirrup jar A rounded vase with a double handle and a narrow spout; common in Mycenaean
civilization
structure The compositional relationships in a work of art; also, a building
stucco A malleable material made of a mixture of slaked lime, sand, water, and a strengthener
such as ground marble; can be easily molded or modeled; used internally and externally for
covering walls or for sculpture and architectural decoration
study A drawing, sketch, or painting done in preparation for a finished piece of art. Artists may
do multiple studies before beginning and during the process of creating the piece.
style A way of making, composing, coloring, etc., a work of art that is characteristic of a period,
a people, or an artist
stylistic development Change in shape and decoration and in the way of making art over
time
stylization A manner of representation that follows artistic or intellectual ideas rather than
producing naturalistic images. The product of stylization is said to be stylized.
stylus (STY lus) An instrument for writing on wax tablets. One end is pointed for writing, the
other is wedge-shaped for smoothing out the wax.
sublime That which is awe-inspiring, associated with grandeur, immensity, or irresistible
power
symmetry Balance in art achieved by arranging corresponding parts on both sides of an axis;
can be achieved with color, shape, texture, etc.; contrasted to asymmetry
syncretism In religion and philosophy, the union of different ideas or principles. In art, the use
of styles from different time periods in one object
subject That which is represented in painting: grand (religious, mythological, historical, tells
story); landscape; portrait; still life; genre (scenes from everyday life); psychological/poetic
(inner states, abstract qualities); abstract (no reference to anything outside of painting itself)
tapestry A textile artwork made from cloth or fibers such as yarn
technique The processes artists use to create a work of art as well as the personal ways in
which they handle their materials and tools
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tempera A type of painting in which pigment is mixed with a binder of egg, milk, oil or other
substance; dries quickly, resists yellowing and darkening; allows precise details
terracotta Baked clay used for figurines, pottery, and architectural decorations, may be glazed
or painted
tessera (TES uh·ra; pl. tesserae, tes·uh·RI) One small piece of stone, glass, or terracotta used
in a mosaic composition
texture The quality of a surface, tactile and visual (rough, smooth, hard, soft, shiny, dull);
created in painting by light even though the paint is the actual texture
tint A basic hue mixed with white to raise its value; frequently used for highlights
tondo A circular painting or relief sculpture
tone Loosely, any color; specifically a value or shade
trefoil (TRA foil) A three-lobed decorative shape or design; a popular Gothic shape
triptych (TRIP dik) Three panels or leaves that can be folded; used for altarpieces and private
devotionals
trompe l’oeil (TROHMP loy; Fr. fools the eye) The technique and the product of a form of
illusionistic painting that attempts to deceive the viewer into believing something is real
tympanum (TIM pa·num) The recessed, ornamental area of stone or brickwork enclosed
between an arch and the lintel of a portal, often triangular in shape
unguentarium (UN guen·TAR eum; pl. ungentaria, UN guen·tar·EE a) A small container, usually
made of glass, used in ancient times for precious liquids
value The amount of light reflected by the hue: the greater the light, the higher the value
vanishing point In linear perspective, the point on the horizon toward which parallel lines
appear to converge and vanish
verso The reverse side of a two-sided object; in a book, the verso is the left-hand page, the
recto is the right
viewpoint The point from which the viewer looks at the work of art, often according to the
principles of linear perspective (a single point of view)
vignette (ven·YET) A photograph, picture, illustration with no definite border but a shading off
at the edges; an ornamental design of vines, leaves, grapes used as a border or inset
votive offering An object offered to a god or other deity
warm colors Red, orange and yellow hues that seem to advance or project and tend to be
exciting
warp The vertical threads of a loom; usually thicker threads set up on the loom to provide a
framework for the weft threads
wash A thin, transparent film used in painting, especially in watercolors
watercolor A type of painting in which pigment is mixed with gum Arabic or glue; can be
applied quickly; has short drying time; gouache is opaque watercolor
weft The horizontal threads of a loom, usually thinner threads stretched through the warp
threads at a right angle
white-ground technique A style of pottery painting in which the body of the vase is covered in
a white slip and the design is painted over it
woodcut A relief process in which 1) the non-image areas of the composition are cut into a
block of wood whose surface goes with the grain, 2) the raised area is inked, 3) proof paper
is placed on the inked surface of the wood and rubbed. The finished print is the reverse of
the woodcut design.
workshop The apprentices and assistants who help an artist (master) with his or her work; the
building (atelier) in which they work
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zoomorphism (zoo·o·MOR phism) Representation of a god in the form of or with the attributes
of an animal; the use of animal forms in art or symbolism
Other Resources
Origin and pronunciation of ancient deities can be found at www.pantheon.org
Parts of arches, domes, cathedrals and columns are discussed in detail in Art Through the Ages
(Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 20th ed.)
Googling any art term will provide many references with illustrations, examples, and
pronunciation.