| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Age of Exploration | The period beginning in the late 15th century marked by European transoceanic voyages that resulted in global commercial and cultural networks. |
| allegory | An artistic genre using symbolic imagery to represent abstract ideas or moral lessons, practiced in Spanish colonial art. |
| Byzantine art | Art produced in the Byzantine Empire, characterized by religious imagery and formal conventions that influenced medieval European art. |
| calligraphic line | Artistic technique emphasizing expressive, flowing lines used in Islamic and migratory art traditions. |
| classicism | An artistic tradition based on the forms and principles of classical antiquity, revived in isolated regions during the medieval period. |
| colonization | The establishment of European control over territories and peoples in the Americas and other regions, resulting in cultural and artistic exchange. |
| cultural exchanges | The sharing and transmission of artistic forms, techniques, and ideas between different cultures through trade, conquest, and interaction. |
| decorative arts | Objects and works created primarily for aesthetic embellishment and functional use, often containing figural imagery in Islamic secular contexts. |
| formal vocabulary | The visual elements, techniques, and stylistic conventions used in art production and shared across cultures. |
| genre | A category of art depicting scenes of everyday life, practiced in Spanish colonial societies. |
| geometrical ornament | Decorative patterns based on geometric shapes characteristic of Islamic and migratory artistic traditions. |
| history painting | A genre of art depicting historical, mythological, or religious narratives, practiced in Spanish colonial art production. |
| hybridization | The blending of European and indigenous artistic ideas, forms, and materials in colonial art production. |
| indigenous ideas | Artistic concepts and traditions originating from native American cultures that were blended with European forms in colonial art. |
| Islamic art | Diverse art forms produced in regions with dominant Islamic culture, which may be religious or secular in nature and share similarities in content and visual characteristics. |
| migratory art | Artistic traditions brought by migratory tribes from eastern Europe, West Asia, and Scandinavia that influenced early and high medieval European art. |
| naturalism | An artistic approach that aims to depict subjects as they appear in nature with accurate representation of form, light, and detail. |
| organic ornament | Decorative patterns based on natural forms characteristic of Islamic and migratory artistic traditions. |
| portraiture | The artistic representation of individual people, typically emphasizing accurate depiction of physical features and likeness. |
| Roman art | Art produced in ancient Rome, whose forms, techniques, and classical traditions influenced medieval and later European artistic practices. |
| Spanish viceroyalties | Spanish colonial administrative territories in the Americas where art production exhibited hybridization of European and indigenous traditions. |
| transoceanic trade | Commercial exchange across oceans that facilitated the dissemination of European ideas, forms, and practices worldwide during the Age of Exploration. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| atmospheric perspective | A technique for creating the illusion of depth by depicting distant objects with less detail, lower contrast, and cooler colors than closer objects. |
| composition | The arrangement and organization of visual elements within a work of art. |
| figuration | The representation of recognizable human, animal, or object forms in art. |
| linear perspective | A technique for creating the illusion of depth on a flat surface by using converging lines that appear to meet at a vanishing point. |
| narrative | A visual representation of a story or sequence of events within a work of art. |
| naturalism | An artistic approach that aims to depict subjects as they appear in nature with accurate representation of form, light, and detail. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| academy | A sanctioned institution that trained artists and controlled access to major exhibition venues through juried selection. |
| altarpiece | A work of art, typically a panel painting or sculpture, displayed above or behind an altar in a religious setting. |
| commemorative | Art created to honor, remember, or celebrate a person, event, or historical moment. |
| devotional | Art created to inspire or support religious worship and personal spiritual practice. |
| didactic | Art created with the primary purpose of teaching or instructing viewers about religious, moral, or historical subjects. |
| elevation | An architectural drawing or view showing the vertical face or exterior design of a building. |
| figural imagery | Representations of human or divine figures used prominently in Asian religious art for veneration and spiritual practice. |
| ground plan | The architectural layout or floor plan of a building viewed from above, showing the arrangement of spaces and structural elements. |
| icon | A religious image or representation, typically of a sacred figure or event, used to facilitate spiritual connection and devotion. |
| iconography | The study of symbols, images, and their meanings in artworks, particularly how they convey cultural and religious significance. |
| metalwork | The process of shaping and working with metal to create artistic objects in Indigenous American art traditions. |
| patronage | The financial support and commissioning of artworks by individuals, institutions, or corporations that influenced the production, content, and display of art. |
| propagandistic | Art created to promote or advance a particular ideology, political message, or institutional authority. |
| reliquary | A container or shrine designed to hold and display sacred relics, often decorated with precious materials and religious imagery. |
| textiles | Woven or fabric art forms that were the most important art medium in West and Central Asia and dominated international trade between Europe and Asia. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| archaeological excavation | Systematic investigations of historical sites that uncover physical evidence and artifacts to inform understanding of past art and cultures. |
| art history | The academic discipline that studies works of art, their creation, context, and significance across time and cultures. |
| art history survey | A comprehensive overview of artistic development across time periods and regions, typically presenting a historical narrative. |
| art-historical argument | A reasoned explanation or interpretation about a work or group of works of art supported by evidence and analysis. |
| artistic tradition | Established practices and styles in art-making that are passed down and developed over time within a culture or region. |
| contextual information | Historical, cultural, and social background information that helps explain the creation and meaning of a work of art. |
| cultural appropriations | The adoption or adaptation of artistic elements, styles, or motifs from one culture by another. |
| cultural interactions | The exchanges, influences, and relationships between different cultures as reflected in artistic practices and styles. |
| curiosity cabinets | Collections of rare objects and artifacts from around the world gathered in European cultural centers during the early modern period. |
| early modern Atlantic world | The interconnected regions of Europe, Africa, and the Americas during the early modern period, characterized by increased cultural and economic exchange. |
| European medieval art | Visual works created in Europe during the Middle Ages, typically studied by chronological period, geographical region, and artistic style. |
| globalization | The process of increasing interconnection and exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures across different regions of the world. |
| governmental records | Official documents from secular and religious authorities that provide historical context for understanding artworks. |
| literary records | Written texts and documents that provide evidence about the historical and cultural context of artworks. |
| nationalism | A modern ideology emphasizing national identity and interests, which emerged as a concept during the early modern period. |
| nationalist agendas | Ideological frameworks that prioritize national identity and interests, which have influenced how medieval art is categorized and studied. |
| primary source material | Original documents, artworks, and artifacts created during the historical period being studied. |
| race | A modern conception of human difference based on physical characteristics, developed and consolidated during the early modern period. |
| secondary scholarly literature | Academic writings and interpretations by scholars that analyze and discuss primary sources and historical events. |
| the West | A constructed historical and cultural concept referring to Europe and its cultural descendants, often used in traditional art historical narratives. |
| theological records | Religious texts and documents that provide information about the spiritual and religious context of artworks. |
| theory and interpretation | Different frameworks and perspectives used to understand and explain the meaning, context, and significance of works of art that may change over time. |
| visual analysis | The systematic examination and interpretation of a work of art's formal elements, such as color, composition, form, and technique, to understand its meaning and significance. |