Terminology 01

Question 1

Renaissance

Answer 1

Renaissance means “rebirth.”
The term Renaissance refers to the historical period between 1400-1600 in Europe, which saw a rebirth of ancient literature and art.

Question 2

Medici family

Answer 2

The Medici family was the most important banking family and institution in the world, they were the government leaders of Florence, and the major patrons of their artistic and economic influence throughout Europe during the Renaissance Period.

Question 3

Rustication

Answer 3

A exterior blocks of stone on a building that are intentionally rough cut in texture

Question 4

Contrapposto

Answer 4

Contrapposto means “counterpose” or “set aganist”.
A standing human figure carrying its weight on one leg so that the opposite hip rises to produce a relaxed curve in the body.

Question 5

Rounded arch

Answer 5

A curved architectural element that spans an opening and supports weight or a load from above.

Question 6

Nave

Answer 6

Nave means “ship”.
A center section of a church where people sit.

Question 7

Apse

Answer 7

An area of a church where the altar is located.

Question 8

Lantern

Answer 8

A object with decorative design located at the top of a pointed Dome to hold the parts
together, not the object used when camping.

Question 9

Column

Answer 9

An architectural element consisting of a shaft, round or polygonal in section, used for structural support or decoration.

Question 10

Manuscript Illumination

Answer 10

A handwritten book whose decoration and/or illustration has been painted in gold, silver and rich colours, that make the page shimmer.

Question 11

Triptych

Answer 11

An altarpiece made from three separate wood panels, which are usually framed or hinged together.

(Example: Roger Campin’s Annunciation Triptych)

Question 12

Altarpiece

Answer 12

A piece of artwork which is placed above and either on or behind an altar in a Christian church or other religious platform.

(Examples: Masaccio’s Trinity, Michelangelo’s Pieta, Titian’s Pesaro Madonna, Bernini’s St. Teresa)

Question 13

Fresco

Answer 13

The art of wall painting on freshly spread moist lime plaster with water-based pigments.

Question 14

Tempera

Answer 14

A technique of painting where ground pigments are suspended in an egg based vechicle. Tempera is an opaque medium, which means that it is not as luminous as oil-based pigments.

(Example: Botticelli’s Birth of Venus)

Question 15

Modeling

Answer 15

The technique of giving objects on a flat surface a 3D appearance through shading and highlighting.

Question 16

Humanism

Answer 16

Humanism is a moral philosophy that drew inspiration from classical antiquity and had significant influence on the work of Italian Renaissance artists.

Question 17

Oil paint

Answer 17

A form of a slow-drying paint that consists of particles of pigment suspended in a drying oil that forms a tough, coloured film on exposure to air.

Question 18

Atmospheric Perspective

Answer 18

It refers to the illusion of depth and the effect of atmosphere has on the appearance of objects when moving back from the distance.

(Examples: Piero della Francesca’s Portraits, Leonardo’s Last Supper and Mona Lisa)

Question 19

Cartoon

Answer 19

A full-size preparatory drawing made on paper for a fresco, oil painting or a tapestry, in an unrealistic or semi-realistic style.

Question 20

Camera Obscura

Answer 20

Obscure means “dark room”.
An optical device that creates an image by focusing rays of light onto a screen or sheet of paper.

Question 21

Vanishing Point

Answer 21

The point at which receding parallel lines, when viewed in perspective, seem to converge.
In scientific perspective, the place where all the converging orthogonals meet (the vanishing point is usually on the horizon line).

Question 22

Linear Perspective or One-Point
Perspective

Answer 22

A technique used by artists to create the illusion of depth, space using relative size, and position of a group of objects on a flat surface.

Question 23

Pyramidal Composition

Answer 23

A popular device Renaissance artists used to draw the viewer’s attention to a figure or to give an impression of stability.
To construct a pyramidal composition, an artist places objects and figures within the outline of an imaginary triangle or pyramid on the picture plane.

(Examples: Masaccio’s Trinity, Leonardo’s Last Supper, Michelangelo’s Pieta, or Titian’s Pesaro Madonna)

Question 24

Sfumato

Answer 24

An Italian word meaning “smoky”.
It refers to a painting technique, where thin oil glazes are used to soften the gradation from light to dark in the modeling a form, and it is the opposite of chiaroscuro.

(Example: Leonado’s Mona Lisa)

Question 25

Secular

Answer 25

It can be defined as artwork that focuses on a more humanistic view, an “increased awareness of nature,” a renewal of classical ideals, and something is not religious in nature.

Question 26

Classical Art

Answer 26

It refers to ancient Greek and Roman art

Question 27

Influence from Greek and Roman Art

Answer 27

Romans invented the rounded arch.
Greeks gave us the pediment at the roofline and fluted columns.
Greek capitals were made in 3 Orders (styles), Doric (plain), Ionic (with a snail-like scroll), and Corinthian (with large leaves and sometimes scrolls).
Romans used the Corinthian Order more than any other.
Eventually these Orders were used in American architecture – even in Lansing, Michigan.

Question 28

Cathedral

Answer 28

A high ranking church run by a Bishop.

Question 29

Dome

Answer 29

A large structure creating a roof or part of a roof over a building.

Question 30

Hidden Symbolism

Answer 30

The use of objects for symbolic purpose, placing them in a common setting, so they look natural, not unusual.