Types of Art terminology you need to know

Like any creative field, art history has its own language. While this reality can be overwhelming for aspiring art historians, having a handy glossary of art terms can make analyzing a work of art a lot less intimidating.

In this list, you’ll find 25 words that will help you discuss art with ease. Ranging from general concepts, like brushwork and composition, to specific techniques, including chiaroscuro and trompe l’oeil, this arsenal of art terms offers everything you need to make the most out of your next museum visit.

Analyze art like a professional with this art history glossary.

Abstract

Breaking away from the figurative representation of objects, abstract art reimagines imagery as a study of the relationship between shape, form, color, and line. Abstraction occurs on a continuum, including the fractured-yet-recognizable forms of Cubism and the totally non-pictorial nature of Abstract Expressionism.

Assemblage

This artistic form or medium uses a mix of materials that create three-dimensional layers from a fixed based. The usage of different materials makes it similar to collage, but in a three-dimensional form. Assemblage has its origins in Cubism and the work of artists like Man Ray and Vladimir Tatlin, who often used found objects in their artwork.

Avant-garde

The French term avant-garde literally translates to “advance guard,” but is used to describe artworks, movements, or artists that are experimental and forward-thinking.

Brushwork

Brushwork refers to the way a painter applies paint to a surface. It is typically characterized by the size, texture, and precision of the strokes. For instance, brushstroke may be described as “tight” or “loose” depending on how visible they are to the naked eye.

Oil painting on canvas (Photo: Stock Photos from Sweet Art/Shutterstock)

Chiaroscuro

Italian for “light-dark,” chiaroscuro is the use of strong contrasts between luminosity and shadow to achieve a sense of volume and dimensionality. This unique technique was developed during the Italian Renaissance by Leonard da Vinci, the Baroque period by Caravaggio, and the Dutch Golden Age by Rembrandt.

Composition

The composition of a work of art is the way in which its visual elements are arranged, especially in relationship to one another.

Conceptual

This 20th-century art form developed in the 1960s, when artists began to emphasize ideas and concepts over the finished product. Art that is conceptual breaks free from all the standard rules and can take any form from sculpture and painting to happenings and performances.

Contour

As the outline of something, the contour is one of the building blocks of drawing. Using different contour lines can dramatically change the way an artwork appears and is most evident in line art. The Dance by Henri Matisse is just one example of a work of art known for its distinct contours.

Contrapposto

In sculpture, contrapposto (“counterpose” in Italian) is an asymmetrical posture in which most of a figure’s weight is distributed onto one foot. This results in a realistic stance, as famously evident in Michelangelo’s David statue.

Figurative

A work of art is considered figurative when its subject matter is representational.

Foreground

The foreground of a work of art is the part of the composition that is closest to the viewer. It is typically discernible from the background, which appears to be further away.

Foreshortening

Foreshortening is a technique in which an artist distorts perspective to evoke an illusion of depth. Foreshortened subjects often appear to recede into the picture plane.

Genre

A genre refers to a type of art (typically painting). Examples of genres include landscape and still life.

Iconography

Iconography refers to the subject matter, or images, used to convey meaning or communicate a message in a work of art.

Impasto

This Italian word for “mixture” refers to thick layers of paint used to create texture. While it was first used by Venetian painters during the Italian Renaissance, it really took hold in the 19th century. Renowned landscape painter J.M.W. Turner used impasto to build layers of color and drama in his work. Painters often use palette knives for this technique, which is meant to emphasize their talent manipulating their chosen medium.

Medium

A medium is the material used to create art. Examples of mediums are watercolor paint, oil, pastel, marble, and charcoal.