Art terms
This glossary explains some of the techniques, mediums, art movements, and other terms you’ll encounter on our website, along with links to examples in the collection.
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Showing 17 of 201 art terms
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Abstract Expressionism
The dominant artistic movement in the 1940s and 1950s, Abstract Expressionism was the first to place New York City at the forefront of international modern
8 examples
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Abstraction
Non-representational works of art that do not depict scenes or objects in the world or have discernable subject matter.
5 examples
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Action painting
Art critic Harold Rosenberg coined the term “action painting” in 1952 to describe the work of artists who painted using bold gestures that engaged more
6 examples
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Actuality
A nonfiction film, usually lasting no more than one to two minutes, showing unedited, unstructured footage of real events, places, people, or things. Actualities,
3 examples
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Allover painting
An approach to painting that emerged with the Abstract Expressionists, in which each area of the composition is given equal attention and significance.
5 examples
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Ambrotype
A lightly exposed wet-plate glass negative that appears as a positive when placed on a black backing.
3 examples
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Aquatint
An intaglio printmaking technique that creates tonal areas. Its name reflects its watercolor-like effects. Powdered resin is sprinkled on a metal plate
5 examples
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Architectural fragment
An object formerly part of a built structure, intended to be part of a built structure, or representing a structural element of a building.
6 examples
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Architectural model
A presentation of an architectural concept in three-dimensional form. Can also refer to digital files representing the same.
6 examples
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Architecture
The science, art, or profession of designing and constructing buildings and other structures for use or habitation by humans; a building, or buildings
6 examples
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Arte Povera
A movement of young Italian artists who attempted to create a new sculptural language through the use of humble, everyday materials. Meaning “poor art,”
6 examples
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Artist’s book
A term referring to publications conceived, designed, and illustrated by artists, often self-published or published by arts organizations in large or unlimited
3 examples
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Arts and Crafts movement
Informal movement in design and architecture that championed the unity of the arts, the experience of the individual craftsperson, and the qualities of
6 examples
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Assemblage
A three-dimensional work of art made from combinations of materials including found objects or non-traditional art materials.
10 examples
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Audio
Sound as recorded, transmitted, or reproduced. Could include or refer to the use of noise and/or silence.
6 examples
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Automatism
Strategies of writing or creating art that aimed to access the unconscious mind. The Surrealists, in particular, experimented with automatist techniques
6 examples
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Avant-garde
French for “advanced guard,” originally used to denote the vanguard of an army and first applied to art in France in the early 19th century. In reference
7 examples
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