Here, you will find definitions of common terms and techniques used in the art world. From "abstract" to "woodcut", we've compiled a list of terms to help you navigate and understand the various mediums and styles of art on display in our gallery. Whether you're a seasoned art collector or just starting to explore the world of art, this glossary is a valuable resource to enhance your appreciation and understanding of the pieces on display.
Abstract Art - A form of art that does not attempt to depict a realistic representation of a subject, but instead uses shapes, colours, and forms to create a composition.
Acrylic Paint - A fast-drying paint made of pigment suspended in a synthetic polymer medium.
Aerial Perspective - A technique used in art and illustration to create the illusion of depth by depicting distant objects as paler, less detailed, and less saturated than closer ones.
Al fresco - A painting or mural executed outdoors.
Alla prima - A painting technique in which layers of wet paint are applied to previous layers of wet paint.
Baroque - A highly ornate and elaborate style of art and architecture that emerged in the late 16th century in Italy.
Bauhaus - A school of art, architecture, and design that was founded in 1919 in Germany and had a major influence on the development of modern art and design.
Bleeding - The spreading of one colour into another in a painting, caused by the mixing of the colors on the surface of the painting or by the use of a wet-on-wet technique.
Brushwork - The technique of using brushes to apply paint to a surface.
Byzantine Art - An art style that developed in the Byzantine Empire from the 4th to the 15th century, characterised by its use of Christian themes and the use of a distinctive iconography.
Chiaroscuro - The use of light and dark shades in a work of art to create the illusion of depth and volume.