Understanding Art Principles

Repeating elements like shapes, colors, or lines in art to create consistency, unity, and guide the viewer's eye.

The visual tempo created by repeating elements in a work of art; guides the viewer's eye dynamically or soothingly.

Using opposing elements like light and dark, rough and smooth, or big and small to create visual interest, highlight features, and tell a story.

Using contrast to emphasize key elements in a work of art and focus the viewer's attention.

Using elements to effectively draw the viewer's eye to a specific area of the artwork.

Repetition creates unity and coherence in art by visually connecting elements that have similar qualities.

Using varying roughness and smoothness, big and small, to elevate visual interest in an artwork.

The literal or direct meaning of a visual element.

Cultural and emotional responses that extend the meaning of a visual element beyond its literal meaning.

Using a word or phrase to refer to something it does not literally mean, instead suggesting a link or comparison.

A visual element (object, symbol) that conveys meaning through its inherent characteristics and the way it is used in a text or image.

Elements within a visual (e.g., line, color, shape, mass, texture, space) which can transmit meaning through interaction and relationship in a work of art.

The materials or techniques used in an artwork.

The way an artist's chosen medium affects their method. An example is drying time which dictates how quickly edits and changes can be made.

Art works as a storehouse of symbols and comparisons, which contribute to the meaning and interpretation of the work itself.

Circles symbolize completeness, roundness, fellowship, integrity, perfection, protection, persistence, constraint, and offer security and connectivity.

Squares and rectangles represent stability, regularity, and conformity. They're associated with four directions, foundations/home, integrity, structure, and are common in stable design.

Shapes provide overall perception (macro), while textures focus on detailed realism and contextual micro-details, creating a combined powerful meaning for the visual.

Tattered textures often imply marginalization or marginalized social status.

Silk textures often convey opulence, luxury and beauty.

Seascape textures can represent harmony, perfection, idealized beauty or violence depending on characteristics.

Pharaohs' wealth was displayed through gold, precious stones, and other valuable possessions.

Pharaohs were buried in elaborate pyramids with riches and sometimes slaves for the afterlife.

Elaborate labyrinths were used to safeguard the pharaoh's tomb.

Egyptian art was structured, organized, and symbolic, reflecting their world view.

Symbols, like pyramids and hieroglyphs, conveyed social hierarchy and meaning.

Greek art emphasized the human form, human rationality, and the connection between art, architecture, and science.

Greek gods had human-like qualities (frailty, emotions), unlike previous cultures’ perfect gods.

The paintings in ancient Egypt might depict specific seasons, especially the mating season of animals, related to their calendar.

Greek art emphasized human-centered ideals, focusing on the human body, intellect, and logical design.

Greek citizens actively participated in improving their city-states through knowledge and innovation.

Roman art was known for being practical, emphasizing engineering prowess, construction, and use of the arch.

The arch was a revolutionary construction technique used in Roman architecture to create large, durable structures.

A prime example of Roman engineering, showcasing the practical application of the arch.

Roman structures built to commemorate military victories, often located in conquered cities.

Roman sculptures focused on lifelike details and often commemorated military leaders or their victories.

Art movement emphasizing truthful depiction of everyday life, especially the struggles of the working class.

Key Realist artist; used art to critique social injustices and the struggles during industrialization.

Courbet's painting depicting the exploitation of peasant workers, reflecting harsh realities of industrialization.

Period of major industrial change, often with harsh social consequences.

Art movement focusing on capturing light and color in fleeting moments, with loose brushstrokes.

Quick, visible brushstrokes used by Impressionists to create a sense of movement and immediacy.

Impressionists favored using bright colors directly from the palette to capture light.

Impressionist style focused on how light changes, painting light and shadows, to create sense of time and atmosphere.