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⚔️AP Art History Unit 4 Vocabulary

60 essential vocabulary terms and definitions for Unit 4 – Later European and American Art, 1750–1980 CE

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⚔️Unit 4 – Later European and American Art, 1750–1980 CE
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⚔️Unit 4 – Later European and American Art, 1750–1980 CE

4.1 Interactions Within and Across Cultures in Later European and American Art

TermDefinition
abstract expressionismAn artistic movement combining abstraction with expressive, gestural brushwork and emphasis on the artist's emotional and physical process.
abstractionAn artistic approach that simplifies or stylizes forms rather than representing them realistically, found throughout prehistoric art history.
artistic movementsOrganized groups of artists and styles united by common philosophies, techniques, or goals during a particular historical period.
avant-gardeArtists and artistic practices that push boundaries and pioneer new styles and approaches ahead of mainstream acceptance.
Baroque revivalAn architectural and artistic style that revived the dramatic, ornate, and emotionally expressive characteristics of Baroque art and architecture.
belief systemsOrganized sets of religious, spiritual, or philosophical ideas that guide how a culture understands the world and conducts itself.
classical revivalAn architectural and artistic style that revived elements and principles from ancient Greek and Roman art and architecture.
colonialismThe historical practice of establishing political and economic control over other territories and peoples, whose waning through independence movements has influenced global art production and representation.
constructivismAn artistic movement that emphasized geometric forms, industrial materials, and social and political engagement.
cubismAn artistic movement that fragmented and reassembled subjects from multiple viewpoints, challenging traditional perspective.
cultural practicesThe customs, rituals, and traditional activities of a society that are reflected in and inform artistic and architectural creation.
earth and environmental artAn artistic practice that uses natural materials and landscapes as the medium, often addressing environmental concerns.
EnlightenmentAn intellectual movement emphasizing scientific inquiry, empirical evidence, and human rights that shaped artistic and cultural values from the mid-1700s onward.
expressionismAn artistic movement that prioritized emotional experience and subjective interpretation over realistic representation.
Gothic revivalAn architectural and artistic style that revived medieval Gothic elements, characterized by pointed arches, ornate details, and vertical emphasis.
impressionismAn artistic movement focused on capturing light, color, and momentary impressions through loose brushwork and contemporary subjects.
industrializationThe development of industries and manufacturing on a large scale, which transformed society and inspired artistic responses.
modernismA broad artistic and cultural movement emphasizing innovation, experimentation, and rejection of traditional forms and values.
neoclassicismAn artistic style that drew inspiration from classical Greek and Roman art, emphasizing order, harmony, and idealized forms.
performance artAn artistic practice in which the artist's actions, presence, and body become the primary medium of artistic expression.
physical settingThe geographic location, environment, and landscape that influences the creation and function of art.
pop artAn artistic movement that incorporated imagery from popular culture, mass media, and consumer goods into fine art.
post-impressionismAn artistic movement that built upon impressionism while emphasizing form, structure, and symbolic content.
postmodern theoryA philosophical approach that questions grand narratives, embraces plurality and irony, and challenges modernist assumptions in art and culture.
realismAn artistic movement that sought to depict subjects and scenes from everyday life with accuracy and without idealization.
Renaissance revivalAn architectural and artistic style that revived the principles and aesthetics of the Renaissance period, emphasizing humanism and classical proportions.
revival stylesArchitectural and artistic movements that deliberately revived and reinterpreted historical styles from previous periods, such as classical, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque forms.
RomanticismAn artistic and philosophical movement that critiqued Enlightenment rationalism and industrialization, emphasizing emotion, nature, and individual experience.
surrealismAn artistic movement that explored the unconscious mind, dreams, and irrational imagery influenced by Freudian psychology.
symbolismAn artistic movement that used symbols and metaphorical imagery to express ideas, emotions, and spiritual concepts.
urbanizationThe growth and development of cities and urban areas, creating new subjects and contexts for artistic practice.

4.2 Purpose and Audience in Later European and American Art

TermDefinition
academyA sanctioned institution that trained artists and controlled access to major exhibition venues through juried selection.
art commodityArtwork treated as a tradable good with monetary value that appreciates over time in the market.
commercial art galleriesPrivate businesses that display and sell artworks to the public, becoming important venues for art distribution.
juried salonAn exhibition where selected judges determine which artworks are displayed, controlling access for artists seeking recognition.
manifestoA published declaration of artistic beliefs and principles, often used by artist groups to communicate their goals and values.
museumAn institution that collects, preserves, and displays artworks, becoming important for civic and national status.
patronageThe financial support and commissioning of artworks by individuals, institutions, or corporations that influenced the production, content, and display of art.
radical individualismAn artistic approach emphasizing personal expression and innovation over adherence to academic traditions and rules.
SalonA public exhibition in Paris where artists displayed their work, serving as a major venue for art display and artist recognition.

4.3 Materials, Processes, and Techniques in Later European and American Art

TermDefinition
appropriationAn artistic technique in which artists incorporate existing objects, images, or cultural materials into new works to recontextualize or revalue them.
cantileveringAn architectural technique where a horizontal structural element extends beyond its support, creating an overhanging form.
earthworkLarge-scale artworks created by manipulating natural landscapes and earth materials, often monumental in scale.
ferroconcrete constructionA building technique combining reinforced concrete with steel reinforcement to create strong, durable structures.
filmA time-based medium using moving images and sound, employed by artists to create narrative and experimental works.
international styleA modernist architectural movement characterized by clean lines, geometric forms, and the use of new materials like steel and glass.
lithographyA printmaking technique based on the principle that oil and water do not mix, allowing artists to create multiple copies of an image.
mass productionThe industrial manufacture of goods in large quantities, which supplied artists with ready-made images and objects to appropriate.
performance artAn artistic practice in which the artist's actions, presence, and body become the primary medium of artistic expression.
photographyA medium that captures images using light and chemical or digital processes, adopted by artists as a new form of artistic expression.
postmodernismAn artistic and architectural movement that challenged modernist principles by incorporating historical references, ornamentation, and diverse styles.
prefabricationThe manufacturing of components or structures in advance, away from the final site, then assembled on location.
serigraphyA printmaking technique using a mesh screen and stencil to push ink through onto a surface, allowing for bold colors and multiple layers.
skyscrapersTall multistory buildings made possible by advances in steel frame and concrete construction technology.
steel frameA structural system using steel beams and columns to support buildings, enabling taller and more flexible architectural designs.
videoA time-based medium using electronic recording and playback technology, used by artists to document and create works.

4.4 Theories and Interpretations of Later European and American Art

TermDefinition
art-historical argumentA reasoned explanation or interpretation about a work or group of works of art supported by evidence and analysis.
scholarshipAcademic research and study that informs and shapes the understanding and interpretation of art and art history.
theory and interpretationDifferent frameworks and perspectives used to understand and explain the meaning, context, and significance of works of art that may change over time.
visual analysisThe 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.