Art Glossary

An artist proof traditionally refers to a print impression taken during the printing process to evaluate the current state of the artwork as the artist works on the plate. These proofs often show (...) read more

Attribute can function as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to an object, symbol, or animal commonly associated with a specific person, often used in art to identify figures, such as a (...) read more

Authenticity refers to the qualities that define an original artwork as genuine, created by the artist under the original circumstances. A reproduction lacks authenticity because it was not made by (...) read more

A Biennial is an art exhibition held every two years, typically on a large scale with international participants. The first and most famous example is the Venice Biennale, established in 1895 and (...) read more

Bricolage is the creation or construction of a piece of art using materials that are readily available to the artist. The term is French and roughly translates to do-it-yourself. This approach became (...) read more

A cast is a form created by pouring a liquid material, such as plastic, plaster, acrylic, concrete, or mixed media, into a mold. Once the liquid cools and fully solidifies, the cast is removed from (...) read more

A Catalogue Raisonné is an annotated and comprehensive listing of all the known works of an artist. It includes detailed information that helps to identify and authenticate the artist's output across (...) read more

Ceramics is an art form that involves creating objects from clay. The clay is shaped, molded, and formed by hand or with specialized tools, then baked (or fired) in a high-temperature oven called a (...) read more

Composition refers to the arrangement of elements within an artwork. The artist carefully organizes these elements to create a harmonious or intentionally dynamic relationship. Traditional approaches (...) read more

An object with distinctive or unusual qualities that naturally draws attention and prompts discussion among people. read more

A curator is a professional responsible for managing and overseeing a collection of art pieces or artifacts. Employed by a gallery or museum, curators use their expertise to acquire, develop, (...) read more

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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