Glossary
Abstract Expressionism
A post-World War II art movement, primarily American, characterized by large-scale, non-representational paintings that emphasize spontaneous, energetic brushwork and emotional intensity.
Example:
Jackson Pollock's drip paintings, where paint is flung onto the canvas, are iconic examples of Abstract Expressionism's focus on the process of creation and raw emotion.
Classical Revival
A renewed interest in the art, architecture, and ideals of ancient Greece and Rome, prominent during the Enlightenment and Neoclassicism.
Example:
The design of many public buildings in Washington D.C., with their columns and pediments, exemplifies the Classical Revival in architecture.
Communist Manifesto
A political pamphlet published in 1848 by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, criticizing capitalism and advocating for a classless society.
Example:
The social critiques found in Realist art, depicting the struggles of the working class, can be seen as an artistic echo of the ideas presented in the Communist Manifesto.
Cubism
An early 20th-century avant-garde art movement, pioneered by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, that revolutionized European painting and sculpture by depicting subjects from multiple viewpoints simultaneously.
Example:
Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon is considered a foundational work of Cubism, breaking down figures into geometric planes.
Enlightenment
A philosophical movement of the 18th century emphasizing reason, science, and individual rights over tradition and superstition.
Example:
The Enlightenment's focus on rational thought influenced artists to depict scenes of civic virtue and moral clarity, as seen in Jacques-Louis David's Oath of the Horatii.
Expressionism
An early 20th-century movement in which artists sought to express inner emotions and subjective experiences rather than objective reality, often using distorted forms and vivid colors.
Example:
Edvard Munch's The Scream, with its distorted figure and intense colors, powerfully conveys anxiety and despair, making it a quintessential work of Expressionism.
Fauvism
An early 20th-century art movement characterized by bold, non-naturalistic use of color, often applied directly from the tube, to express emotion rather than describe reality.
Example:
Henri Matisse's The Dance, with its flat, vibrant colors and simplified forms, is a prime example of Fauvism's revolutionary approach to color.
French Revolution
A period of radical social and political upheaval in France (1789-1799) that led to the overthrow of the monarchy and the rise of republicanism.
Example:
Eugène Delacroix's Liberty Leading the People powerfully captures the revolutionary fervor and ideals of the French Revolution.
Harlem Renaissance
A vibrant cultural, social, and artistic explosion in the 1920s and 1930s, centered in Harlem, New York, celebrating African American identity and heritage.
Example:
Jacob Lawrence's Migration Series visually narrates the Great Migration, serving as a powerful artistic testament to the themes and spirit of the Harlem Renaissance.
Impressionism
A 19th-century art movement characterized by small, thin, visible brushstrokes, open composition, and an emphasis on depicting the changing effects of light and atmosphere.
Example:
Claude Monet's series of paintings of Rouen Cathedral, capturing different times of day and seasons, perfectly illustrates Impressionism's fascination with light and fleeting moments.
Individualism
A key Enlightenment idea that emphasizes the importance and uniqueness of each person, shifting focus from collective or religious identity.
Example:
The rise of portraiture during this era often highlighted the distinct personality and achievements of the sitter, reflecting a growing sense of individualism.
Japonisme
The incorporation of Japanese motifs, techniques, and aesthetic principles into Western art, particularly prominent in the late 19th century.
Example:
Mary Cassatt's prints, with their flattened forms, bold outlines, and asymmetrical compositions, clearly demonstrate the influence of Japonisme.
Liberalism
A political philosophy emphasizing individual rights, freedoms, and limited government, which gained prominence during the 19th century.
Example:
The push for greater individual expression and artistic freedom in various art movements of the 19th century aligns with the broader societal trend of liberalism.
Nationalist movements
Political and social movements advocating for the creation of nations based on shared ethnicity, culture, or language, prominent in the 19th century.
Example:
Paintings depicting heroic historical events or traditional folk customs often served to foster a sense of shared identity and pride within emerging nationalist movements.
Nature
A growing appreciation for the natural world as a subject of artistic exploration, moving beyond its traditional role as a backdrop.
Example:
The detailed landscapes of the Hudson River School artists showcase a profound reverence for the American wilderness, reflecting the era's appreciation for Nature.
Perry Expedition
The US naval expedition led by Commodore Matthew Perry in the mid-19th century that forcibly opened Japan to Western trade.
Example:
The Perry Expedition directly led to the influx of Japanese woodblock prints into Europe, profoundly influencing Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artists.
Pop Art
An art movement that emerged in the 1950s and 1960s, challenging traditional fine art by incorporating imagery from popular and commercial culture.
Example:
Roy Lichtenstein's comic book-inspired paintings, featuring Benday dots and bold outlines, are quintessential examples of Pop Art's engagement with mass media.
Pop Culture
The prevailing popular trends, media, and consumer products of a society, which began to significantly influence artistic themes and styles from the mid-20th century onwards.
Example:
Andy Warhol's iconic soup cans and celebrity portraits directly incorporate imagery from Pop Culture, blurring the lines between high art and everyday consumerism.
Post-Impressionism
A late 19th-century art movement that reacted against Impressionism's naturalism, emphasizing symbolic content, emotional expression, and structured forms.
Example:
Vincent van Gogh's vibrant brushwork and emotional intensity in The Starry Night are hallmarks of Post-Impressionism, pushing beyond mere optical impressions.
Realism
An artistic movement that emerged in the mid-19th century, focusing on depicting subjects truthfully and objectively, often portraying the lives of ordinary people.
Example:
Gustave Courbet's The Stone Breakers exemplifies Realism by depicting the harsh realities of manual labor without idealization.
Romanticism
An artistic and intellectual movement emphasizing emotion, individualism, and the glorification of the past and nature, often in response to the Enlightenment's rationalism.
Example:
Caspar David Friedrich's Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog perfectly embodies Romanticism's focus on individual emotion and the awe-inspiring power of nature.
Secularism
The principle of separating government and societal institutions from religious influence, a core tenet of the Enlightenment.
Example:
Artworks began to explore non-religious subjects like historical events, mythology, or everyday life, demonstrating a move towards secularism in artistic themes.
Sublime
A concept in aesthetics referring to a quality of greatness, whether physical, moral, intellectual, metaphysical, or artistic, that inspires awe and profound emotion.
Example:
The terrifying grandeur of a stormy sea or a vast, untamed mountain range, often depicted in Romantic paintings, evokes the feeling of the sublime.
Surrealism
An early 20th-century avant-garde movement that sought to release the creative potential of the unconscious mind, often through dreamlike and irrational imagery.
Example:
Salvador Dalí's melting clocks in The Persistence of Memory are iconic examples of Surrealism's exploration of the subconscious and dream states.
World Wars I and II
Two devastating global conflicts (1914-1918 and 1939-1945) that profoundly impacted economies, populations, and the cultural landscape.
Example:
The trauma and disillusionment following the World Wars I and II fueled the rise of art movements like Dada and Surrealism, which questioned traditional values and explored the irrational.