Module 2 Vocabulary and Terms

Question 1

gestural line

Answer 1

reveal an artist’s motion while drawing

Question 2

contour line

Answer 2

define the edges and shapes of an object, therefore suggesting volume or space

Question 3

geometric shapes

Answer 3

square, rectangle, cirlce

Question 4

organic shapes

Answer 4

often composed of uneven closed lines and asymmetrical forms

Question 5

abstract shapes

Answer 5

basic form is still recognizable, can be geometric or organic

Question 6

nonrepresentational shapes

Answer 6

no reference to real objects, can be geometric or organic

Question 7

chiaroscuro

Answer 7

a dramatic contrast between values (light and dark)

Question 8

complementary colors

Answer 8

are opposites on the color wheel and therefore accentuate each other’s intensity when paired (red/green) (orange/blue) (yellow/purple)

Question 9

arbitrary colors

Answer 9

color used in a nonrealistic way

Question 10

naturalistic colors

Answer 10

color that is true to life and appears realistic

Question 11

symmetrical balance

Answer 11

If a work can be cut in half and each side looks exactly (or nearly exactly) the same

Question 12

radial balance

Answer 12

Radial balance (or symmetry) is achieved when all elements in a work are equidistant from a central point and repeat in a symmetrical way from side to side and top to bottom. Radial symmetry can imply circular and repeating elements.

Question 13

asymmetrical balance

Answer 13

when one side of the image does not reflect the other side, but the combination of the elements on the right and left side counter each other

Question 14

4 ways to achieve emphasis: relative size, lines of force, focal point, dark/light contrast

Answer 14

relative size - closeness to emphasize importance
lines of force - put emphasis on main message of painting - pointing, direction of gaze
focal point - specific area or object that is emphasized
dark/light contrast - can bring focus to a certain object(s) in the image vs the others

Question 15

unity; variety

Answer 15

Unity -

• compositional - using the same physical elements (shape/forms) such as silouettes, umbrellas, etc
• conceptual - addressing the same theme throughout. shapes/forms can be different but represent the same idea (bird, balloon, feather)
• gestalt - refers to something (here a work of art) in which the whole seems greater than the sum of its parts. (think egyptian walls)

Question 16

scale

Answer 16

We perceive scale in relation to our own size.
monumental scale - We perceive scale in relation to our own size.
heiriachel scale - (pharoh being larger than wife and daughter)
distorted scale - must have 2 elements to reference each other to show distort of one of the elements (rose filling up the entirety of a room)

Question 17

atmospheric (aerial) perspective

Answer 17

modifies value, color, and texture to create the sense that some parts of an image are situated further away than others.

Question 18

Filippo Brunelleschi

Answer 18

Because Brunelleschi, as an architect, was interested in the realistic representation of buildings, he began to work with ideas about perspective and the idea that light enters the eye. He combined this with use of the camera obscura to prove that reality could be re-created in art using a system of lines.

Question 19

foreshortening

Answer 19

a technique that depicts a form or object in a very oblique angle to the viewer, allowing the user to show a great amount of space

Question 20

linear perspective

Answer 20

using lines to create the illusion of depth in 2D art

• all parallel lines converge at a point known as the vanishing point (which is not always visible), located on the horizontal line.
• the converging parallel lines are referred to as orthogonals.
• may be one-point, two-point, or multi-point
• uses foreshortening to depict the apparent diminishing in size of forms as they appear to recede in space

Question 21

modes of analysis

Answer 21

Iconographic, biographical, feminist, contextual, psychological, formal

Question 22

Iconographic Analysis

Answer 22

Signs and symbols. Historical, cultural, and religious references. Images that represent concepts or ideas.

Question 23

Biographical Analysis

Answer 23

Relates artist’s life and experiences to artwork. Considers gender, race, nationality, class.

Question 24

Feminist Analysis

Answer 24

Analysis roles of women as artists, subjects, viewers.

Question 25

Contextual Analysis

Answer 25

Based on time and place where art was made. Considers historical, religious, political, economic, and social factors.

Question 26

Psychological Analysis

Answer 26

Considers mental state of the artists when the work was made.

Question 27

Formal Analysis

Answer 27

Analyses elements and principles used by the artist.