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Art History 101
CWI - Greek/Roman/Early Christian term identifications
12
Art History
Undergraduate 1
10/31/2013

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Term
Archaic smile
Definition
The curved lips of an ancient Greek statues in the Archaic Greece period, usually interpreted as a way of animating facial features.
Term
Verism
Definition
Style in which artists concern themselves with describing the exterior likeness of an object or person, usually by rendering its visible details in a finely executed, meticulous manner.
Term
Porphyry
Definition
An extremely hard, purple stone from Egypt that was reserved for imperial use.
Term
Sanctuary
Definition
A sacred or holy enclosure used for worship. In ancient Greece and Rome, consisted of one or more temples and an alter. In Christian architecture, the space around the altar in a church called the chancel or presbytery.
Term
Apse
Definition
A large semicircular or polygonal (usually vaulted) recess on an end wall of a building. In a Christian church, it often contains the altar.
Term
Tetrarchy
Definition
Describes any form of government where power is divided among four individuals.
Term
Contrapposto
Definition
Italian term meaning "set against" used to describe the Classical convention of representing human figures with opposing alternations of tension and relaxation on either side of a central axis to imbue figures with a sense of the potential for movement. Example: Polykleitos Spear Bearer
Term
Orant
Definition
Of a standing figure represented praying with outstretched and upraised arms. Example: The Good Shepherd, Orants and the Story of Jonah
Term
Syncretism
Definition
A process whereby artist assimilate and combine images and ideas from different cultural traditions, beliefs, and practices, giving them new meaning.
Term
Basilica
Definition
A large rectangular building. Often built with a clerestory, side aisles separated from the center nave by colonnades, and an apse at one or both ends. Originally Roman centers for administration, later adapted to Christian church use.
Term
Kouros
Definition
An Archaic Greek statue of a young man or boy.
Term
Frieze
Definition
The middle element of an entablature, between the architrave and the cornice. Usually decorated with sculpture, painting, or moldings. Also: any continuous flat band with relief sculpture or painted decoration.
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