14 Art Terminology Terms You Must Know

 Are you interested in going to art school? Here are some terms that any budding artist should be familiar with:

Art Nouveau – A painting, decorative design, and architectural style developed in England in the 1880s. The style is distinguished by the use of graceful lines, interlaced patterns, flowers, plants and other nature inspired themes.

Classical Style – The term “classical” is often applied to all the art of ancient Greece and Rome, as well as to any art based on logical, balanced principles and deliberate composition.

Cubism - An art style developed in 1908 by Picasso and Braque whereby the artist breaks down the natural forms of the subjects into geometric shapes creating a new kind of illustrative space.

Dadaism – An art style founded by Hans Arp in Zurich after WW1.  This style challenged the established canons of art, thoughts and morality.

Expressionism – An art movement of the early 20th century in which traditional obedience to realism and proportion was replaced by the artist’s emotional connection to the subject. These paintings are often abstract, the subject matter distorted in color and form to highlight the artist’s emotion.

Impressionism – An art movement founded in France in the last third of the 19th century. This style of painting is characterized by short brush strokes of bright colors used to recreate visual impressions of the subject at a particular point in time.

Medieval Art – The art of the Middle Ages ca. 500 A.D. through the 14th century. The art produced immediately prior to the Renaissance.

Pop Art – A style of art that is inspired from commercial art and items of mass culture such as brand name packaging, and popular foods.

Post Impressionism – A term applied to the work of several artists – French or living in France – from about 1885 to 1900. Post Impressionists were united in rejecting the relative absence of form characteristic of Impressionism and stressed more formal qualities  of the subject matter.

Realism – An art style of the mid 19th century, which promoted the idea that everyday people and events are worthy subjects for important art.

Rococo - A style of art, architecture and furnishings popular in Europe in the first three quarters of the 18th century that emphasized ornate but small-scale decoration, curvilinear forms, and pastel colors.

Romanesque - A style of architecture and art dominant in Europe from the 9th to the 12th century. Romanesque architecture, based on ancient Roman models, emphasizes the round arch and barrel vault.

Neoclassicism – “New” classicism – a style in 19th century Western art. Neoclassical paintings have sharp outlines, reserved emotions, deliberate composition, and cool colors.

Neo-Expressionism – “New” expressionism – a term originally applied to works done primarily by German and Italian artists in the post-WWII era.  Neo- Expressionist works depict intense emotions and symbolism, sometimes using unconventional media and intense colors.

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