Art Terms and Movements

Question 1

Art Deco

Answer 1

Art/Architecture style of the 1920’s and 1930’s that used abstraction, distortion, and simplification - particularly geometric shapes and highly intense colors.

Examples: Chrysler Building

Question 2

Art Nouveau

Answer 2

Early 20th Century art movement emphasizing nature and floral motifs.

Question 3

Baroque

Answer 3

Heavily stylized movement prominent in Europe in the 16th - 18th century characterized by lavish ornamentation.

Question 4

Bauhaus

Answer 4

Important architecture and design school in the early 20th century that emphasized geometric motifs.

Artists: Klee and Kandinsky

Question 5

Classicism

Answer 5

Art of or in the style of the Greeks and Romans.

Question 6

Cubism

Answer 6

Early 20th century art movement focusing on the fragmentation of reality; a direct reaction to Impressionism.

Artists: Picasso

Question 7

Dada

Answer 7

Absurdist movement of the 20th century.

Artists: Duchamp

Question 8

Futurism

Answer 8

Early 20th century Italian art movement that focused on machines as art.

Question 9

Gothic

Answer 9

Architecture style of the 12th - 16th centuries with elaborate arches and stained glass.

Examples: Notre Dame

Question 10

Impressionism

Answer 10

Late 19th century French school of art that emphasizes visual impressions of the artist’s mind over reality.

Question 11

Lithograph

Answer 11

A print technique in which plates are pressed into a crayon drawing.

Question 12

Minimalism

Answer 12

Art movement in the 20th century that stressed cold restraint over emotional expression.

Question 13

Motif

Answer 13

A recurring theme or element of an artistic work.

Question 14

Neoclassicism

Answer 14

Late 18th century art movement that rejected the ornate rococo style and returned to the Greek and Roman model.

Question 15

Performance art

Answer 15

Contemporary theatrical art intended to shock viewers.

Question 16

Pointillism

Answer 16

Artistic style characterized by the use of tiny dots of paint that when seen together make up a whole image.

Question 17

Pop Art/Op Art

Answer 17

Contemporary art movement that borrows heavily from popular culture and commercial art sources.

Question 18

Realism

Answer 18

19th century art movement in which reality of vision is emphasized over idealization or romanticism.

Question 19

Renaissance

Answer 19

Era of renewed interest in the arts and humanities; began in 15th century Italy.

Question 20

Rococo

Answer 20

18th century art movement that was typified by playful and intricate design.

Question 21

Surrealism

Answer 21

1920’s art movement that sought to show the world through fantastic landscapes and dream imagery.

Artists: Magritte and Dali

Question 22

Abstract Expressionism

Answer 22

20th Century American movement based on nonfigurative, dramatic expressiveness.

Artists: Pollock and Rothko.