Art Glossary

Marouflage on canvas is a technique where a paper artwork is affixed to a canvas using a transparent adhesive. This method is often used to avoid the need for framing behind glass and is usually (...) read more

The term medium in art refers both to the type of art being created and the materials used to make the artwork. For example, painting, printmaking, and sculpture are types of art that are referred to (...) read more

Mexico's contemporary art scene is a vibrant blend of indigenous traditions and global currents, reflecting its rich cultural history. Museums such as Museo Tamayo and Museo Jumex in Mexico City host (...) read more

Multiples refer to a series of identical art objects produced in limited editions according to the artist's concept. These works are specifically created for sale and are often considered the most (...) read more

The contemporary art scene in the Netherlands is renowned for its innovative spirit and diverse creative expressions. Key institutions like the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam and Museum Boijmans Van (...) read more

Original artwork is art that stems directly from the personal inspiration and creativity of an artist. It is not a direct copy of another artist’s work, though it may be inspired by it. The subject (...) read more

Painting is the process of applying media to a surface, using a tool such as a brush. The term refers to both the action and the resulting object. Artists use many tools to paint, such as brushes, (...) read more

Patina is the distinctive greenish surface that bronze develops over time due to exposure to air and humidity. Artists can also apply chemicals to bronze to artificially create patina. Alternatively, (...) read more

Perspective refers to the techniques artists use to represent three-dimensional objects on a two-dimensional surface. These techniques create the illusion of depth and space, making objects appear as (...) read more

Bridging ancient traditions with contemporary insights, Peru's art scene is a thriving dialogue of epochs. Artists such as Fernando de Szyszlo and Ana Teresa Barboza continue to shape this landscape (...) read more

Photography is the process of creating an image on light sensitive materials. The image is produced by using a camera, which has a lens that focuses on light either reflected or emitted from an (...) read more

A pigment is a material that changes the color of light by selectively absorbing certain wavelengths and reflecting others. Unlike phosphorescence or fluorescence, where materials emit light, (...) read more

A portfolio is a collection of artworks or images assembled in a folder or digital format for storage or display. Artists often compile portfolios to showcase their work, either thematically related (...) read more

Portugal's contemporary art scene is a dynamic blend of history and innovation. Prestigious museums such as the Serralves Museum in Porto and the Museu Coleção Berardo in Lisbon serve as platforms (...) read more

A print is an image or text reproduced using a template or master form. Prints are typically created by transferring ink from a prepared matrix to another material, often paper. Common matrices (...) read more

A print proof refers to any test impressions made from a printing plate or block to check the image quality before the final print is completed. These proofs are used as quality checks to ensure that (...) read more

Provenance refers to the chronology of ownership, location, or custody of an artwork. Tracing an object's provenance helps establish its authenticity and historical context by documenting its (...) read more

Recto and verso are terms used to describe the right and left pages of an open book, or the front and back of a sheet of paper. In both cases, recto refers to the right-hand page or the front of the (...) read more

A replica is a copy of an artwork that is so precisely made that it is nearly indistinguishable from the original. Artists may create replicas of their own work, or replicas can be produced for (...) read more

Romania's contemporary art scene is a thrilling blend of historical narratives and fresh perspectives. Pioneering artists such as Adrian Ghenie and Mircea Cantor are carving out innovative artistic (...) read more

A sculpture is a three-dimension object made using any one of the basic sculpting processes. These include carving, casting, constructing or modeling. Carving materials may be bone, ivory, stone or (...) read more

Serbia's vibrant contemporary art scene is a nexus of past and future, where history intertwines with fresh creativity. Artists like Marina Abramovi? and Ivana Baši? generate conversation, pushing (...) read more

South Africa's contemporary art scene is a dynamic blend of heritage and innovation. Renowned artists like William Kentridge and Mary Sibande challenge perceptions, merging global trends with local (...) read more

Spain's contemporary art scene is a vibrant amalgamation of tradition and innovation. Distinguished museums like the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid and the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao showcase (...) read more