Art Appreciation Test 1, Chapter 1

Subject

In art, the themes of objects being depicted

jack pollack is known for

dripping paint on his canvases

content

The __________ refers to a work's array of intangible aspects: the emotional, intellectual, psychological, symbolic elements.

Pictorial Balance

The distribution of the apparent or visual weight of elements in two-dimensional works of art. Contrast with actual balance.

subject matter

The form of an artwork includes all of the elements that make up the composition except __________.

Value

The lightness or darkness of a color

Proportion

The relationship of the size of the parts to the whole

Scale

The relative size of an object compared to other objects, the setting, or people

Visual Elements and Principles of Design

(Line, Shape, Value, Color, Texture, Space, Time and Motion) (Unity, Variety, Emphasis, Focal point, Balance, Rhythm, Scale, Proportion)

Style

A characteristic manner or mode of artistic expression or design.

Emphasis

A design principle that focuses the viewer's attention on one or more parts of a composition by accentuating certain shapes, intensifying value or color, featuring directional lines, or strategically placing the objects and images

Abstract Art

A form of art characterized by simplified (abstracted) or distorted rendering of an object that has the essential form or nature of that object; a form of nonobjective art in which the forms make no reference to visible reality

Iconography

A set of conventional meaning attached to images; as an artistic approach, representation or illustration that uses the visual conventions and symbols of a culture

Focal Point

A specific part of a work of art that seized and holds the viewer's interest

Realism

A style characterized by accurate and truthful portrayal of subject matter; a nineteenth-century style that portrayed subject matter in this manner

Content

All that is contained in a work of art: the visual elements, subject matter, and underlying meaning or themes

Nonobjective art

Art that does not portray figure or objects; art without real models or subject matter

Symmetrical Balance

Balance in which imagery on one side of a composition is mirrored on the other side. Symmetrical balance can be pure, or it can me approximate, in which case the whole of the work has a symmetrical feeling but with slight variations that provide more visual interest that would a mirror image. Contrast with symmetrical balance.

ambiguity

Bronzino's complex allegory Venus, Cupid, Folly, and Time offers up such an iconographic puzzle that there is little doubt that he intended to leave the viewer with a sense of __________.

Genres

Categories of artistic compositions characterized by similarities in style or subject matter

Visual Elements

Elements such as line, shape, color, and texture that are used by artists to create imagery. Also termed plastic elements

Expressionism

Emphasizing the distortion of color and form to achieve an emotional impact

subject

For most of the history of art, the __________is recognizable or at least reflects some sort of visual experience.

common theme

One of the best ways to illustrate stylistic differences between works of art is to choose several works that have a __________.

Symmetry

Similarity of form or arrangement of both sides of a dividing line

Symmetry

Similarity of form or arrangement on both sides of a dividing line

Medium

The material and tools that an artist uses to create a work of art

Unity

The oneness of wholeness of a work of art

Rhythm

The orderly repetition of the visual elements in a work

Composition

The organization of the visual elements in a work of art

Texture

The surface character of materials as experienced by the since of touch

Regular Repetition

The systematic repetition of the visual elements in work to create rhythm

Form

The totality of what the viewer sees in a work of art-the product of the composition of the visual elements

The man is approaching death

The underlying symbolism in an artist's depiction of an elderly man stooped over amongst leafless, snow-covered trees in the depths of winter is most likely which of the following?

Visual Unity

The unity in a work of art as created by use of visual elements. Contrast with conceptual unity.

Sculpting

The word art encompasses many meanings, including process. Which of the following is considered an artistic process?

Extreme Unity

Unification of all elements in a composition

Variety

_______ can be described as contrast and diversity. It is the counterpoint of unity. Juxtaposing various or contradictory elements in a composition adds interest, spontaneity, and the element of surprise.

Style

__________ generally refers to distinctive characteristics of art and architecture that are common to a culture, era, or to a group of artists working at the same time or toward a common artistic goal.

Iconography

__________ is the study of the themes and symbols in the visual arts: the figures and images that lend works their underlying meanings.

Unity

_______________ is defined as a sense of oneness or cohesiveness. It has the effect of gathering the elements of a composition into a harmonious whole.

Emphasis

_________________ in a composition describes an attention-grabbing aspect that directs the viewer's eye to a particular area, giving it visual or conceptual dominance.

Form

_______________refers to the totality of a composition or design—the arrangement or organization of all of its visual elements.

Focal point

____________describes the main point of interest in a work of art—one that captures and holds a viewer's attention.

Symbolism

____________is often a key component of a work's content, even if its meaning is unapparent or indecipherable to a viewer.

common theme

one of the best ways to illustrate stylistic differences between works of art is to choose several works that have a