Western Art History Flashcards
Midterm II Exam (16 cards)
Vanitas
An image especially popular in Europe during the 17th century, in which all the objects symbolize the transcience of life. These paintings are usually of still life’s or genre subjects.
Exemplum Virtutis
Are very common as far as subjects in the neoclassical period where we find a dominance of classically oriented subjects that teach us a moral lesson or virtue and are didactic by their nature.
Genre Scene
Are scenes of every day life seemingly showing us what life was like. They also were going to have embedded within them moralizing themes and virtues that are still reinforced within a Christian Society and context.
Estilo Desornamentado
The Spanish term for an un ornamented style and is adopted by Philip II when he decides to have capital at Madrid building El Escorial. Taking from Classicizing precedents in Italy we have stripped down version of this type of decoration. Showing the seriousness the severity and gravitas of the Spanish in the empire.
Tenebroso
Was produced by Caravaggio. Is a type of reeking seller light that is a variety of chiaroscuro. Were by restricting the tonality’s to the brightest highlights and the deepest shadows.
Anamorphic Image
Was practiced by Leonardo Da Vinci and Hans Holbein. The younger is going to be one that can be viewed only from a very oblique angle.
Quadro Riportato
Is a variety of painting that is adopted during the Baroque era. Which Illusionisticly appears as though an easel painting is carried up to the ceilling and mounted on the walls therefore adding these layers
Quadratura
An Architectural setting painted in meticulous perspective and usually requiring viewing from a specific spot to achieve the desired effect of soaring space.
Di Sotto In Su
Is the resulting view point of Quadratura. It is seen in a limited fashion, in Mantegna’s ceilling in Mantua. Because it required such careful calculation, figure painters usually had specialists in Quadratura paint the architectural frame for them.
Concetto
Is designed by Bernini in the Piazza of St.Peter’s. It is a conceit or an organizing idea or principle. Thus we find that we do not just have a series of columns surrounding the Piazza. But these become the arms of the church that embrace those that come to visit the bosom of mother church.
fete galante
A subject in painting depicting well-dressed people at leisure in a park or country setting. It is most often associated with 18th century French Rococo painting.
Sublime
Of a concept, thing, or state of greatness or vastness with high spiritual, moral, intellectual or emotional value; or something awe inspiring. It was a goal to which many19th century artists aspired in their artworks.
Pan-European Baroque
Is a style practiced by Peter Paul Ruben. Is going to bring together the appreciation of robust classicism and basing one’s form and figures on classical statuary. Bringing that together with the northern interest of textural illusionism and specificity of flora and fauna.
Ruckenfigur
The back of a figure and is used as an entry point.
Aquatint
Is scraping with a needle on a metal plate that is covered in wax. That is then dipped in acid and the longer it’s left in the acid bath. The acid bite’s the plate and the darker the lines will become.
Colossal
Was first developed by Michelangelo for his design in the Vatican and New Saint Peter’s. Is continued by Carlo Maderno around the front where there is a column or a pilaster that moves through one story. Which is anti classical in antiquity greco-roman architecture.
