The Language of Art: A Glossary of Essential Terms
Navigating the world of art can feel like learning a new language, filled with specialised terms and techniques that deepen our understanding and appreciation of each piece.
This guide to essential art terms is designed to help you build familiarity with the vocabulary used by artists, curators, and galleries alike. Whether you're a seasoned collector, a new enthusiast, or just curious, understanding these terms—from styles and techniques to materials and mediums—will enrich your experience and connection to art.
Let this guide be your companion as you explore the diverse and expressive language of the art world.
A
- Abstract Art: Art that does not attempt to represent an accurate depiction of visual reality. Instead, it uses shapes, colours, and forms to achieve its effect.
- Acquisition: The process of purchasing or obtaining a work of art for a gallery or personal collection.
- Acrylic: A fast-drying paint made of pigment suspended in acrylic polymer emulsion, often used for its versatility and vibrant colours.
- Artist Proof (A.P.): A print that is part of a limited edition but is set aside as a proof for the artist, often considered more valuable.
- Assemblage: Art made by assembling disparate elements, often everyday objects, into a cohesive whole.
B
- Biennial: An art exhibition or event that occurs every two years, showcasing contemporary art and often highlighting emerging artists.
- Block Print: A technique in which an image is carved into a wood, linoleum, or rubber block, inked, and then printed.
- Body of Work: A collection of artworks created by an artist over a period of time, representing their stylistic evolution or thematic focus.
- Bronze: A metal alloy used in sculpture, known for its durability and ability to capture fine details.
C
- Canvas: A strong, woven fabric commonly used as a surface for painting, typically stretched across a wooden frame.
- Chiaroscuro: The use of strong contrasts between light and dark to give the illusion of volume and three-dimensionality.
- Commission: A custom work of art created upon request by an artist, often for a specific space, theme, or person.
- Contemporary Art: Art created in the late 20th and 21st centuries, often reflecting current issues and trends.
- Curator: A professional responsible for selecting, organising, and managing exhibitions and collections within a gallery or museum.
D
- Decoupage: An art technique involving the cutting and gluing of paper cutouts onto surfaces, like wood or glass, and often finished with layers of varnish to create a seamless, decorative effect.
- Diptych: An artwork composed of two panels, which may be joined or displayed side by side.
- Docent: A trained guide who provides information and tours in a museum or gallery setting.
- Drypoint: A printmaking technique in which an image is incised into a plate with a hard-pointed needle or tool.
E
- Edition: The number of copies made of a particular print or sculpture. Limited editions are often signed and numbered by the artist.
- Encaustic: A painting technique using heated beeswax mixed with coloured pigments.
- Engraving: A printmaking technique in which an artist uses a sharp tool, or burin, to carve lines directly into a metal plate, creating grooves that hold ink to produce detailed prints.
- Etching: A printmaking technique in which a metal plate is covered with a wax ground, drawn upon, and then etched with acid to create an image.
F
- Figurative Art: Art that depicts recognisable figures or objects, in contrast to abstract art.
- Fresco: A technique of mural painting executed on freshly laid, or wet lime plaster.
- Frieze: A decorative band, usually located at the top of a wall, often containing sculpted or painted elements.
G
- Gallery: A space dedicated to displaying, selling, and sometimes creating art. Galleries can range from small local spaces to large international venues.
- Gesso: A primer used to prepare canvas or other surfaces for painting, providing a smooth, absorbent base.
- Giclée: A high-quality digital print used to reproduce paintings or other artwork with great accuracy.
H
- High Relief: A sculptural technique where the sculpted elements are deeply carved, making them project significantly from the background.
- Horizon Line: In visual art, the line where the sky meets the ground; important in establishing perspective.
I
- Impasto: A painting technique where paint is laid thickly on the surface, creating texture and depth.
- Installation Art: Three-dimensional works designed to transform a space, often site-specific and interactive.
- Intaglio: A printmaking technique where an image is incised into a surface, typically a metal plate, and ink is applied to fill the grooves, with the resulting print created by pressing paper onto the inked plate.
J
- Jewel Tones: Colours that resemble gemstones, such as sapphire blue, emerald green, and ruby red, often used for their rich, vibrant appearance.
K
- Kinetics: Referring to art that incorporates movement, either through physical or mechanical means.
L
- Lithography: A printmaking technique where an image is drawn with oil-based ink on a flat stone or metal plate, then transferred to paper.
- Limited Edition: A set number of prints or reproductions made from an original work, with each one numbered and signed by the artist.
M
- Medium: The materials and methods used to create art, such as oil paint, watercolour, sculpture, etc.
- Mixed Media: Art that combines different materials and methods, such as paint, fabric, and found objects, within a single piece.
- Monochrome: Art created using only one colour or shades of a single colour.
N
- Negative Space: The area around and between the subjects of an artwork, often used to create balance and contrast.
- Non-Objective Art: Art that does not represent or depict any specific object or subject, focusing solely on form and colour.
O
- Oil Paint: A type of paint made from pigment and oil, known for its rich colour, blending capability, and slow drying time.
- Original Artwork: A one-of-a-kind piece created by the artist’s hand, distinct from reproductions or prints.
P
- Palette: The range of colours used in a particular artwork, or the physical board on which an artist mixes colours.
- Pastel: A crayon-like stick made of pigment and a binder, used for drawing in a wide range of colours.
- Perspective: A technique for creating an illusion of three-dimensionality on a flat surface.
- Print: A reproduction of an original artwork created by transferring ink from a prepared surface onto paper or another material, often in multiple copies.
Q
- Quattrocento: A term referring to the 1400s, especially within Italian Renaissance art history.
R
- Relief: A sculptural technique where the sculpted elements remain attached to a solid background.
- Repoussoir: A technique in painting where an object in the foreground is used to lead the viewer’s eye into the composition.
S
- Salon: An official or formal art exhibition, or the gathering of artists, intellectuals, and patrons.
- Still Life: A genre of art depicting inanimate objects, often arranged in a balanced composition.
- Sfumato: A technique of blending colours and tones gradually, creating a soft, smoky effect.
T
- Triptych: An artwork made up of three panels, often hinged together and depicting a continuous scene or theme.
- Trompe L’Oeil: A painting technique that creates the illusion of three-dimensional objects on a flat surface.
U
- Underpainting: An initial layer of paint applied to a canvas to establish a base for the final layers of colour.
- Unity: The sense of harmony and cohesiveness in an artwork.
V
- Varnish: A transparent coating applied to protect a finished artwork, often enhancing colours and depth.
- Vignette: A decorative or framing element that emphasises a central image by fading out its edges.
W
- Wash: A technique in painting using a thin layer of diluted pigment, often used in watercolour.
- Woodcut: A printmaking process where an image is carved into the surface of a woodblock, inked, and then transferred to paper.
X
- Xylography: The art of engraving on wood, especially for printing images or text.
Y
- Yellowing: The discolouration of artwork, often caused by age, exposure to light, or certain varnishes.
Z
- Zenithal Lighting: Lighting directed from above to create dramatic effects in sculpture and painting.
- Zoomorphic: Artistic representations of animals, especially in decorative or symbolic forms.
Understanding these terms can deepen your appreciation of art and provide insight into the techniques, styles, and materials used by artists across different genres and periods. This knowledge will enhance your experience and appreciation of the art at Arte Delux.