Principles of Art Exam 1 Terms

Important terms/concepts for Exam 1.

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Formal Properties of Art (Definition and examples)
Visual elements/properties/building blocks of art.

Examples: Color (hue); Line; Contrast (tonality--light and dark); Texture; Shape; Space.


Line (Definition and Examples)
A path traced by a moving point. Conventions in works of art to define the conjunction of 2 planes.

Examples: Horizon Lines; Virtual Lines; Sight lines/Gestural Lines; Contour Lines
Foreshortening (Definition and Example)
The rendering (drawing) of the apparent shortening of an object that is not parallel to the picture plane.

Example: One eye is drawn smaller than the other to indicate that it is part of another plane.
Hatching
Set of parallel lines that are close together to create a sense of tonality.
Cross Hatching
2 sets of parallel lines that cross each other at an angle to create a sense of tonality.
Stippling
Set of dots that are close together to create a sense of tonality.
De Stijl
Dutch art movement of the early 20th century (1920s and 1930s). Translates to "The Style" in English. Piet Mondrian was part of this movement.
Piet Mondrian had a falling out with his friend Theo Van Doesburg because Van Doesburg painted with diagonal lines and Mondrian used only horizontal and verticle lines. Why did Mondrian take this matter so seriously?
Mondrian is taking a fundamental principle from the natural world and applying it to his painting in order to use the painting as a model of society (social reform). The fundamental principle is the dynamic balance of opposing essential forces. Mondrian represents this fundamental principle with horizontal and verticle lines at right angles as well as primary colors and black and white. Mondrian takes his representation/manifestation very seriously so when Van Doesburg uses diagonal lines to manifest the same fundamental principle, Mondrian gets frustrated because this opposes his representation/manifestation.
Shape

Mass

Types of Shapes
2-Dimensional

3-Dimensional

Geometric, Organic, Biomorphic, Amorphous
Biomorphic
Suggests a living organism (plant or animal).
Amorphous
No definite qualities.
Figure-Ground Relationship
Figure is focal point, Ground is surroundings.
Does this sculpture incorporate negative space into its design deliberately or not?
See examples in notes
Functions of Light in Art
Aesthetic: Light emphasizes (reveals) the beauty of the building's structure. There is a transparent boundary between indoors and outdoors. Paxton is one of the earliest architects to incorporate both structure and aesthetic (decorative) at the same time.
Utilitarian: Using natural light to light the exhibits in the crystal palace, Naturally heating the building for the plants and the people.

Symbolic: Could represent "Holy Light" in a Christian piece.

Diffuse light, Directional light, Emotional light
Chiaroscuro
Means "light and dark" in Italian. The rendering of the way light falls unevenly on an object to give the illusion of 3-Dimensionality. Deals with cast shadows at a micro level (ex. light on a face).