Midterm Vocab

Question 1

a culture’s philosophy explaining the origin and structure of the universe, including the characteristics of time and space, among other things.

Answer 1

cosmology

Question 2

a particular manner, form, or character of representation or expression, typical of an individual artist, group of artists, or artistic period

Answer 2

artistic style

Question 3

an artistic style that seeks to replicate the physical appearance of the subject as it appears to the eye

Answer 3

naturalism

Question 4

creating the illusion of figures or objects appearing to recede or project sharply into space, often using the rules of perspective

Answer 4

foreshortening

Question 5

a term which means “rebirth” and is often used to refer to a time period from roughly the 1400s-1500s, or a cultural movement in the Early Modern Period that combined new artistic styles to explore ideals of classicism and humanism

Answer 5

renaissance

Question 6

an interest in the ancient greeks and romans past as a model for art making, or any aspect of art that reflects the rules, canons, and examples of classical art

Answer 6

classicism

Question 7

renaissance cultural movement that attached prime importance to human perspectives, potential, needs, and rationality, seeking to understand human life and individual freedoms within the framework of christianity

Answer 7

humanism

Question 8

cross vault, a vault formed by two identical barrel vaults intersecting at a right angle

Answer 8

groin vault

Question 9

an arched ceiling of roof supported or reinforced by crossing ribs, which carry the load and usually meet at a point in Gothic architecture

Answer 9

rib vault

Question 10

representing the human body so that it appears as if its weight is shifted to one leg, creating a subtle S-shaped curve through the back and shoulders that animates the figure

Answer 10

contrapposto

Question 11

a technique in which water-based pigment is applied to wet plaster (buon fresco) or dried plaster (fresco seco) to create a mural painting

Answer 11

fresco

Question 12

a recessed decorative panel that, with many other similar panels, is used to decorate ceilings or vaults.

Answer 12

coffers

Question 13

a technique for representing objects in three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional surface, in which a series of orthogonal lines meet at a single or double vanishing point on the horizon line

Answer 13

linear perspective

Question 14

a triangular or arched gable found over major architectural elements such as Greek porticos, windows, or doors

Answer 14

pediment

Question 15

a continuous semi-circular vault

Answer 15

barrel vault

Question 16

a full-scale drawing used to transfer the outline of a design onto a surface to be painted, especially in fresco painting

Answer 16

cartoon

Question 17

a patch of wet plaster (the intonaco), representing the amount of fresco painting that can be completed in “a day’s work”, laid over the sinopia drawing

Answer 17

guirnata

Question 18

a small semi-circular or polygonal niche protruding from the end wall of a building

Answer 18

apse

Question 19

belief by a religions or social group that a fundamental transformation of society or even the end of the world is imminent

Answer 19

millenarianism

Question 20

a sculpted image or design, with the flat background carved away to a set off the figure. Called high relief or low relief depending upon the degree that the image projects from the background

Answer 20

relief sculpture

Question 21

in classical orders, this describes all the horizontal elements above the columns and capitals

Answer 21

entablature

Question 22

the upper-most component of a classical entablature, or more generally, any horizontal projecting element in a building, usually at the top of a wall or pedestal

Answer 22

cornice

Question 23

in classical architecture, the middle-element of an entablature, usually decorated with continuous sculpture, painting, or molding

Answer 23

frieze

Question 24

any classical order built on a large scale, where the columns rise through several stories in height and often stand upon a raised pedestal

Answer 24

colossal order

Question 25

in architecture, a projecting roof or porch supported by columns, often marking an entrance

Answer 25

portico

Question 26

the wall that supports a dome, usually circular or polygonal. Also used to describe a cylindrical section of a column shaft

Answer 26

drum

Question 27

a divine creature in the form of a plump, naked little boy, often with wings

Answer 27

putto

Question 28

an engaged column-like element used in architectural decoration that is rectangular in its cross-section

Answer 28

pilaster

Question 29

debates concerning the relative merits of artistic genre or periods. The best known is that of the relative merits and superiority of painting and sculpture to each other

Answer 29

paragone

Question 30

rendering the visual effect of distance on a two-dimensional plane by subtle variations of color and clarity of representation, with cooler colors and hazier forms to create the impression of greater distance

Answer 30

atmospheric perspective

Question 31

in painting, the appearance or effect of a smokey haze in the image that resembles the color and atmosphere at dusk

Answer 31

sfumato

Question 32

an italian word designating the use of strong contrasts between dark and light in a painting, drawing, or print

Answer 32

chiaroscuro

Question 33

a term signifying the use of dramatic illumination or exaggerated chiaroscuro the create sharp contrasts between light and dark, with darkness as the dominating feature of the image

Answer 33

tenebrism

Question 34

a genre of poetry or visual art that romanticizes the simplicity of country life, idealized shepherds and shepherdesses, music, and harmony with nature

Answer 34

pastoral

Question 35

stylized decorative paintings based on the Roman frescos of the Domus Aurea, with scrolling vegetation, hybrid creatures, theatrical masks, and other classical motifs, typical of late Renaissance ornamental programs

Answer 35

grotesques

Question 36

an artistic approach to expression through a highly stylized, refined language of artistic mastery, self-conscious artifice, courtly grace, and unnatural beauty. Artists sought complexity, capriciousness, surprise, and even the bizarre

Answer 36

mannerism

Question 37

a mixture of lime, sand and other ingredients to create a paste-like material that is easily molded or modeled. When it dries, it produces a durable surface well suited for covering walls and architectural ornamentation

Answer 37

stucco