Art Glossary

Definitions of Art Forms, Mediums, and Movements

Country, Art Form, Varia
Image View
Digital Art

Digital art refers to art which is created using digital technology. It can be generated by computer, drawn or scanned with a tablet using a mouse. Video may be downloaded to computers so artists can (...) read more

Image © Alex Perez / Unsplash
Diptych

A diptych is an artwork composed of two panels. These panels can be painted, carved, or made using various mixed media techniques. They may be connected by hinges, allowing them to close for (...) read more

Artwork by Louise Bourgeois
Drawing / Watercolor

Drawing and watercolor are two traditional art techniques which stand alone as media, but are often used in conjunction with each other. Drawing can create the basic outlines for watercolor painting. (...) read more

Image © Kaizen Nguyn / Unsplash
Edition

In art, an edition refers to the total number of identical or closely similar items produced as a set. This often applies to prints, such as lithographs, where multiple copies are made from a single (...) read more

Emulation

Emulation is the process of recreating digital art to ensure it remains accessible and functional, even when the original technology used to create it becomes obsolete. This is done by using newer (...) read more

Image © Javier Garcia Chavez / Unsplash
Epreuve d’artist

Épreuve d'Artist refers to the artist's proofs in a limited edition of prints. These are a small number of prints reserved by the artist for personal use and are typically marked with the (...) read more

Ethiopia

Ethiopia's emerging contemporary art scene mirrors its diverse cultural heritage and dynamic present. The Modern Art Museum - Gebre Kristos Desta Center in Addis Ababa champions innovative Ethiopian (...) read more

Artwork Copyright © Julie Mehretu
Foundry

A foundry is a place where metal is melted and shaped to create sculptures. Artists bring their completed wax sculptures to the foundry, where molds are made in the same shape. The foundry then uses (...) read more

Image © Ludomi? Sawicki / Unsplash
France

Contemporary Art in France is a testament to the country's rich artistic heritage and its innovative spirit. French artists, such as Pierre Soulages and Yves Klein, have made significant (...) read more

Artwork Copyright © Louise Bourgeois
Georgia

In Georgia, contemporary art mirrors its rich cultural past while embracing modern narratives. Key cultural institutions, such as the Tbilisi Museum of Contemporary Art and the Rustaveli National (...) read more

Artwork Copyright © Mariam Sitchinava
Germany

Germany is a global powerhouse in contemporary art, home to iconic institutions such as the Hamburger Bahnhof Museum in Berlin and the Museum of Modern Art in Frankfurt. Renowned artists like Gerhard (...) read more

Artwork Copyright © Georg Baselitz
Ghana

Ghana's contemporary art scene brims with creativity, reflecting its rich traditions and current realities. Accra's Gallery 1957 and the annual Chale Wote Street Art Festival offer platforms for (...) read more

Artwork Copyright © El Anatsui
Greece

Greece's vibrant contemporary art scene is a fusion of ancient heritage and modern perspectives. Institutions like the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Athens echo this dynamic. Famed artist (...) read more

Artwork Copyright © Jannis Kounellis
Hungary

Hungary's contemporary art scene is a captivating blend of history and modernity, encapsulating the nation's unique cultural evolution. Key venues such as the Ludwig Museum in Budapest and the MODEM (...) read more

Artwork Copyright © Victor Vasarely
India

India's contemporary art scene is a vibrant amalgamation of tradition and innovation. Key spaces like the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art in New Delhi, and the Kochi-Muziris Biennale showcase a diverse (...) read more

Artwork Copyright © Anish Kapoor
Ireland

In Ireland, contemporary art is a reflection of its rich history intertwined with current issues and innovative ideas. Dublin's Irish Museum of Modern Art and Temple Bar Gallery are key institutions (...) read more

Artwork Copyright © Francis Bacon
Israel

In Israel, contemporary art is a captivating blend of diverse influences reflecting its complex history and cultural mosaic. Renowned institutions such as the Tel Aviv Museum of Art and the Israel (...) read more

Artwork Copyright © Yaacov Agam
Italy

The contemporary art scene in Italy is a testament to the nation's deep-rooted artistic tradition, vibrantly interacting with innovative expressions and global movements. Esteemed institutions, (...) read more

Artwork Copyright © Mimmo Paladino
Japan

Contemporary Art in Japan is a vibrant fusion of traditional aesthetics and modern creativity. Japanese artists, such as Yayoi Kusama and Takashi Murakami, have made significant contributions to the (...) read more

Artwork Copyright © Yayoi Kusama
Latvia

Latvia's contemporary art scene is a fascinating blend of historical influences and innovative expressions. Institutions such as the Latvian National Museum of Art in Riga showcase inspiring (...) read more

Artwork Copyright © Vija Celmins
Lebanon

Reflecting its rich cultural heritage and dynamic social discourse, Lebanon has crafted a contemporary art scene that is both vibrant and unique. Artists like Etel Adnan and Akram Zaatari, using (...) read more

Artwork Copyright © Etel Adnan
Light Object

Light art refers to artworks that use light as the primary medium. These can include sculptures or installations that interact with the natural or urban environment. Light art can be suspended, in (...) read more

Image © bese/Shutterstock
Limited Edition Print

A limited edition print is one of a number of prints made at the same time from one printmaking plate. A fixed number are made and signed by the artist, indicating the printing order, using the (...) read more

Image © Petr Lerch/Shutterstock
Magnum Photos

Magnum Photos is a photographic cooperative founded in 1947 by four photographers: Robert Capa, Henri Cartier-Bresson, George Rodger, and David Chim Seymour. Based in New York, the organization was (...) read more

Artwork by Martine Franck

Est. 2005 — twenty years of collecting, online.