Humanities and Aesthetics Overview

The study of how people process and document the human experience.

A field of study that explores the nature and appreciation of beauty. It encompasses principles of design and aesthetics, examining what makes something considered 'beautiful' or artistically valid.

A mathematical ratio used in architecture, art, and nature to achieve a balanced and pleasing proportion.

The study of the past, including events, people, societies, and cultures, using historical evidence and analysis.

A form of art that involves visual elements such as painting, sculpture, photography, and film.

An area of study that explores the fundamental questions of existence, knowledge, reality, and ethics.

The study of written works, encompassing genres such as novels, poetry, drama, and essays.

The art of expressing oneself through movement and gesture, often incorporating music and storytelling.

The distinctive characteristics and materials used in an artist's work, such as in individual art, movements, cultures, or time periods.

Art that aims to replicate the world as we see it, without idealizing or exaggerating.

Art that deceives the viewer into thinking it's real, like a painting that looks like a window.

Art that uses color and form to convey strong emotions.

A group of artists who share similar styles, materials, and goals.

Art that presents a simplified or abstract view of the world.

Art that doesn't depict anything recognizable, focusing on form and color.

The materials used to create art, such as oil paint, clay, or wood.

A mathematical sequence where each number is the sum of the two preceding ones. For example, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8...

A mathematical ratio of approximately 1.618, often found in nature and art. It's a measure of harmonious proportions.

A rectangle whose sides are in the ratio of the Golden Mean, considered aesthetically pleasing in art and architecture.

The objective analysis of an artwork based on its visual elements, such as line, shape, color, texture, and space. It focuses on how these elements are organized and interact.

The subjective interpretation of an artwork considering its meaning, symbolism, and themes. It explores what the artwork communicates and how it affects the viewer.

The skill and technique an artist demonstrates in their chosen medium, such as painting, sculpture, or photography. It focuses on how well the artist handles materials and processes.

The effectiveness of an artwork in conveying its intended message or meaning to the viewer. It considers how well the work communicates ideas, emotions, or experiences.

An artist's role as a chronicler of their time, capturing the people, places, and events that define their era through visual means.

The way art looks, including all visual aspects that can be isolated and described (size, shape, materials, color, composition).

What a work of art is about, its meaning. It can be straightforward or symbolic.

The web of connections to the larger world of human culture. Includes historical, social, and personal influences.

A still-life genre popular in the Netherlands in the 17th century. Paintings often feature objects symbolizing death and the fleeting nature of life.

Distinctive characteristics of a culture that influence the style of artworks. They can be seen in materials, techniques, and visual language.

The subject matter depicted in a work of art, including the elements of composition like line, color, texture, shape, and space. It can also include underlying symbolic meanings and themes.