VisualLang

Art

Advanced Vocabulary for TOEFL / Art

Art

34 Words

17m

1
concrete
conc
rete
Adjective

real and tangible, existing in physical form that can be sensed or experienced

The detective searched for concrete clues at the crime scene to solve the mystery.

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2
figurative
fi
gu
ra
tive
Adjective

using language in a way that words don't have their actual meaning, but an imaginative meaning instead

The poet’s use of figurative language painted vivid images in the reader’s mind.

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3
monochrome
mo
no
chrome
Noun

a painting, drawing or photograph that is created with different shades of a single color or black and white

The artist’s latest exhibition features a stunning monochrome of deep blues, evoking a sense of calm and depth.

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4
lowbrow
low
brow
Noun

a person who lacks interest in intellectual or cultural matters

He's a bit of a lowbrow—he'd rather watch reality TV than read a novel.

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5
somber
som
ber
Adjective

dark and gloomy in color, especially gray or black

The somber clouds hung low in the sky, casting a shadow over the landscape.

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6
sublime
sub
lime
Adjective

having exceptional beauty or excellence

The pianist's performance of the concerto was sublime, leaving the audience in awe of her talent.

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7
Baroque
ba
roque
Adjective

having intricate and often symmetrical decorative details

The mirror's Baroque frame was gilded and swirling with floral motifs.

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8
Rococo
ro
co
co
Noun

an elaborate and heavily decorated style of art, architecture, and furniture with asymmetrical patterns that was prevalent in Europe in the 18th century

The Rococo movement left a legacy of intricate scrollwork and florid details that continue to inspire modern designers.

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9
classicism
cla
ssi
ci
sm
Noun

a style of art and literature associated with harmony, simplicity, and beauty based on the standards of ancient Greece and Rome, Classicism was popular in Europe from the Renaissance to the 18th century

Classicism emphasized order, symmetry, and idealized forms in artistic representations of human figures.

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10
da
da
Noun

an early 20th-century movement in art, literature, music, and cinema, renouncing and satirizing artistic and social traditions and highlighting the illogical and absurd as a way of protest

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11
exp
re
ssio
ni
sm
Noun

a style and movement of art, music, and literature in the early 20th century that expresses extreme feelings and emotions instead of showing events or objects in a realistic manner

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12
impressionism
imp
re
ssio
ni
sm
Noun

a movement in painting originated in 19th-century France that uses light and color in a way that gives an impression rather than a detailed representation of the subject

Claude Monet's "Water Lilies" is a quintessential example of Impressionism, capturing the ephemeral beauty of light and nature.

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13
for
ma
li
sm
Noun

an artistic or literary style that considers the rules and proper arrangement of the elements as being the most fundamental factor in comparison with expressing feelings or meaning

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14
mannerism
ma
nne
ri
sm
Noun

an exaggerated gesture, speech pattern, or style intended to create an effect or impression

She exaggerated the hand gestures as a mannerism for comedic effect.

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15
mi
ni
ma
li
sm
Noun

‌a style of art, music, or design that arose in the 1950s and is associated with simplicity and uses only a limited number of elements

Minimalism emphasizes simplicity and clarity in design.

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16
neo
cla
ssi
ci
sm
Noun

a style of art, literature, music, or architecture that imitates the style practiced in ancient Greece and Rome

Neoclassicism emerged as a dominant artistic movement in the late 18th century, characterized by a revival of classical principles and aesthetics.

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17
naturalism
na
tu
ra
li
sm
Noun

a literary and artistic movement initiated in the late 19th century, marked by the accurate depiction of detail

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18
postmodernism
post
mo
der
ni
sm
Noun

a movement and style in art, literature, architecture, etc. in the 20th century, which reacted against modernism and is usually marked by a return to earlier styles and inclusion of features from various periods

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19
daub
daub
Verb

to coat a surface with plaster or a thick substance

The artisan decided to daub the walls with a layer of textured plaster for a rustic look.

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20
etch
etch
Verb

to cut or carve designs or writings on a hard surface, often using acid or a laser beam

The artist etched a detailed illustration on a metal plate.

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21
bri
co
lage
Noun

the process of artfully constructing something by means of different objects that are easily accessible

The artist's sculptures were a testament to his talent for bricolage, as he seamlessly combined found objects like driftwood and metal scraps into stunning works of art.

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22
composition
com
po
si
tion
Noun

the different elements that form something or the arrangement of these elements

The composition of water molecules consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, chemically bonded together.

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23
installation
ins
ta
lla
tion
Noun

the act of setting up or establishing a system, equipment, or machinery for use

The installation of the new software took several hours to complete.

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24
fresco
fres
co
Noun

a technique of mural painting that is done by putting watercolor on wet plaster on a wall or ceiling

The cathedral's walls were adorned with magnificent frescoes depicting scenes from biblical stories, their vibrant colors still vivid after centuries.

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25
grotesque
gro
tesque
Adjective

very ugly in a strange or funny way

She recoiled in horror at the sight of the grotesque creature lurking in the shadows.

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26
mural
mu
ral
Noun

a large painting done on a wall

The city commissioned a local artist to create a vibrant mural depicting the history and culture of the neighborhood.

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27
dip
tych
Noun

a painting or engraving done on two separate pieces of wood that are hinged and can be closed like a book, usually used as an altarpiece

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28
easel
ea
sel
Noun

a wooden frame, usually a tripod, that an artist uses to support a canvas

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29
tempera
tem
pe
ra
Noun

a kind of pigment that is mixed with water or egg yolk in order to be painted on a canvas, paper, etc.

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30
ci
tys
cape
Noun

a painting or photograph representing a city or an urban area

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31
avant-garde
avant
garde
Adjective

innovative, experimental, or unconventional in style or approach, especially in the arts

The avant-garde filmmaker pushed the boundaries of narrative structure, crafting abstract, non-linear stories that challenged viewers' perceptions of cinema.

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32
connoisseur
co
nnoi
sseur
Noun

an individual who is an expert of art, food, music, etc. and can judge its quality

As a wine connoisseur, he could discern subtle nuances in aroma and flavor, effortlessly identifying the region and vintage of each bottle.

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33
con
ser
va
tor
Noun

an organization or a person who is responsible for preserving, repairing, or restoring works of art, cultural sites, or other types of historical heritage

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34
muse
muse
Verb

to think deeply and reflect

Writers often muse on the complexities of human emotions when crafting characters.

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