Art History Vocabulary Quiz

Study Notes

Art History Vocabulary

Sinopia: Dark reddish-brown natural earth pigment derived from hematite (dehydrated iron oxide), named after Sinop, Turkey.
Intonaco: Final thin layer of plaster applied for fresco painting; allows pigment to penetrate while the plaster is wet.
Giornata: Italian term meaning "a day's work"; refers to the amount of painting possible in one day during Buon fresco techniques.
Relief Sculpture: Sculptural technique where elements are attached to a solid background, creating the illusion of raised figures above the plane.
Quatrefoil: Ornamental design featuring four lobes or leaves, often used in architectural tracery and resembling a flower or four-leaf clover.
Hieratic Scale: Art technique for indicating importance by varying the size of images in relation to others within the composition.
Hierarchical Size: Technique utilizing unnatural proportions to convey the relative importance of figures within an artwork, prominent in various artistic traditions.
Tempera: Permanent, fast-drying painting medium combining colored pigments with a water-soluble binder, typically egg yolk.
Personification: Artistic representation of abstract ideas as human figures, often adorned with symbolic attributes, prevalent in medieval and Renaissance art.
Manuscript: Handwritten books often embellished with paintings and precious metals (gold/silver), crafted from animal skins like calf, sheep, or goat.
Parchment: Durable writing material made from prepared animal skin, utilized as a writing surface during ancient and medieval eras.
Atmospheric Perspective: Artistic method for creating depth by altering color to mimic the atmospheric effects on distant objects.
Altarpiece: Artwork (painting, sculpture, or relief) specifically designed for placement behind the altar in a Christian church, often depicting religious themes.
Triptych: Art piece divided into three sections or panels, typically hinged for folding; commonly used as an altarpiece.
Polyptych: Artwork consisting of two or more panels, often more than three, distinguishing it from diptych (two panels) and triptych (three panels).

Description

Test your knowledge of essential art history terms with this vocabulary quiz. Learn about key concepts, materials, and techniques used in classical painting and frescoes. Essential for art students and enthusiasts alike!