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Essential Vocabulary for the GRE - Forms & Styles of Art

Here you will learn some English words about art, such as "ceramics", "tableau", "batik", etc. that are needed for the GRE exam.

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Essential Words Needed for the GRE
embroidery

the activity of sewing decorative patterns onto a piece of clothing

Ex: She spent hours perfecting her embroidery skills, creating intricate floral designs on a linen tablecloth. 
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calligraphy

the art of producing beautiful handwriting using special writing instruments such as a dip or brush pen

Ex: The artist demonstrated exquisite calligraphy with graceful strokes and precise lettering. 
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carving
carving
[noun]

the art or process of making a particular pattern or object by cutting solid material

Ex: She learned the art of stone carving from her grandfather, who was a skilled sculptor. 
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engraving
engraving
[noun]

the art or process of carving an artistic shape or pattern on a hard material

Ex: The engraving on the antique pocket watch was so finely detailed that every line and curve seemed to come to life. 
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ceramics
ceramics
[noun]

the process or art of making objects out of clay that are heated to become resistant

Ex: She studied ceramics in college and now creates beautiful pottery in her studio. 
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origami
origami
[noun]

the practice or art of folding paper into desired shapes, which is originated from Japanese culture

Ex: The origami festival featured displays of large-scale paper sculptures created by renowned artists. 
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portraiture

the art or act of making portraits of people

Ex: The gallery featured a collection of modern portraiture. 
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tapestry
tapestry
[noun]

a thick piece of handwoven textile with designs or pictures on it that is used for hangings, curtains, etc.

Ex: The medieval castle's walls were adorned with intricate tapestries depicting heroic battles. 
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collage
collage
[noun]

the art of making pictures by sticking photographs, pieces of cloth or colored paper onto a surface

Ex: She created a vibrant collage of city scenes using magazine cutouts and acrylic paint. 
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mural
mural
[noun]

a large painting done on a wall

Ex: The city commissioned a local artist to create a vibrant mural depicting the history and culture of the neighborhood. 
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tableau
tableau
[noun]

a group of models or statues arranged in an artistic way, representing a famous historical or fictitious scene

Ex: The museum exhibit featured a tableau depicting the signing of the Declaration of Independence, with meticulously crafted statues arranged around a replica of the historic document. 
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still life

a painting or drawing, representing objects that do not move, such as flowers, glassware, etc.

Ex: The artist's still life painting depicted a bowl of fruit and a vase of flowers, capturing the play of light and shadow on the objects. 
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surrealism

a 20th-century style of art and literature in which unrelated events or images are combined in an unusual way to represent the experiences of the mind

Ex: Salvador Dalí's "The Persistence of Memory" is one of the most famous works of surrealism, featuring melting clocks draped over a dreamlike landscape. 
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symbolism
symbolism
[noun]

a late 19th-century style or movement of art that tried to express thoughts and states of mind in strong words and images, called symbols, and avoided detailed representations of the reality

Ex: Symbolism in art often reflects the artist's inner thoughts and personal experiences. 
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abstract
abstract
[Adjective]

(of a form of art) showing forms, colors, or shapes that do not represent real-world objects, focusing on ideas or emotions instead

Ex: She is known for her abstract sculptures that explore the interplay of shapes, colors, and textures. 
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Baroque
Baroque
[noun]

an ornate and grand style of art, music, and architecture present in the 17th and early 18th centuries in Europe

Ex: The cathedral's interior was a magnificent example of Baroque architecture, with its elaborate decoration, dramatic lighting, and ornate detailing. 
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batik
batik
[noun]

‌a technique used to color designs on fabrics in which wax is applied to the parts that should be left undyed, originally used in the island of Java, Indonesia

Ex: The batik technique involves a meticulous process of waxing and dyeing to achieve intricate designs on fabric. 
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classicism

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

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

a drawing that depicts the outline of someone or something that is in a single black color and against a light background, often from the side

Ex: She framed the silhouette of her daughter playing in the park, the simplicity of the outline capturing the essence of childhood joy. 
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charcoal
charcoal
[noun]

a piece or pencil made of a black substance mostly consisting carbon, used by artists for drawing

Ex: He prefers charcoal for its rich, dark lines and shading. 
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crayon
crayon
[noun]

a small stick of white or colored wax or chalk, used for writing or drawing

Ex: She drew a beautiful rainbow with a red crayon. 
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mannerism
mannerism
[noun]

a European style of art in the late 16th century characterized by hyper-idealization and distorted human forms

Ex: The painting exhibited at the museum exemplified the mannerism style, with elongated figures and exaggerated poses creating a sense of drama and tension. 
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figurative
figurative
[Adjective]

representing people, animals and objects and forms as they appear in the real world

Ex: The gallery displayed figurative art that captured everyday scenes. 
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minimalism

‌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

Ex: Minimalism emphasizes simplicity and clarity in design. 
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retrospective

a public exhibition of an artist's work over a period of time, showing their career development

Ex: The museum hosted a retrospective of the painter's entire career. 
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perspective

the technique of representing a two-dimensional object in a way that gives the right impression of distance by drawing objects and people that are farther in a smaller size

Ex: The artist used perspective to make the road appear to stretch into the distance. 
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palette
palette
[noun]

a thin oval board that a painter uses to mix colors and hold pigments on, with a hole for the thumb to go through

Ex: The artist's palette was covered in a colorful array of oil paints, each hue carefully mixed to capture the essence of the sunset. 
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pigment
pigment
[noun]

a dry substance that has to be mixed with a liquid to produce paint

Ex: The artist mixed the pigment with water to create vibrant paint. 
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muse
muse
[noun]

a source of inspiration for an artist or author that gives them ideas or motivates them to create works of art

Ex: The mountains were her muse, inspiring countless landscape paintings. 
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likeness
likeness
[noun]

a portrait or representation of someone, especially one that looks just like them

Ex: The sculptor captured his father's likeness in a marble bust. 
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patron
patron
[noun]

an individual who financially supports an artist, charity, cause, etc.

Ex: As a dedicated supporter of the cause, she became a patron of the animal shelter, making regular donations to provide care and medical treatment for rescued animals. 
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curator
curator
[noun]

someone who is in charge of a museum, taking care of a collection, artwork, etc.

Ex: The museum curator is responsible for preserving and interpreting the art collection. 
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harmony
harmony
[noun]

a pleasing combination of things in a way that forms a coherent whole

Ex: The painting exhibited a harmony of colors, with each hue blending seamlessly into the next. 
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impasto
impasto
[noun]

a painting technique in which paint is applied so thickly to the canvas or panel that the brush strokes are visible

Ex: The artist's use of impasto technique created a rich texture on the canvas, with thick layers of paint giving the artwork a three-dimensional quality. 
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icon
icon
[noun]

a depiction of Jesus Christ or a holy figure painted on a wooden panel often on a gilded background, venerated by the Eastern Orthodox Church

Ex: The monastery's chapel displayed an ancient icon of Saint George slaying the dragon. 
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bust
bust
[noun]

a sculpture representing someone's head, shoulders, and chest

Ex: The museum's collection included a marble bust of Julius Caesar, sculpted by a renowned artist during the Roman era. 
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to sculpt
to sculpt
[Verb]

to form figures and objects by cutting and carving hard materials such as wood, stone, metal, etc.

Ex: The artist sculpts a statue from a block of marble using chisels and mallets. 
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restoration

the act of repairing something such as an artwork, building, etc. to be in its original state

Ex: The restoration of the ancient frescoes took several years, with experts meticulously repairing and cleaning the artwork to reveal its original beauty. 
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shading
shading
[noun]

lines and markings in dark color that provide the effect of light and shade in a drawing or painting

Ex: The artist used cross-hatching for shading to create depth in the sketch. 
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magnum opus

the greatest literary or artistic piece that an author or artist has created

Ex: Many critics consider Beethoven's Ninth Symphony to be his magnum opus, showcasing the pinnacle of his musical genius. 
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pottery
pottery
[noun]

the skill or activity of making dishes, pots, etc. using clay

Ex: She enjoys pottery as a creative hobby, making mugs and bowls. 
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taxidermy
taxidermy
[noun]

the art of preserving the dead body of animals by skinning and then filling them with a specific substance in order to use them as decoration

Ex: The museum exhibit showcased stunning examples of wildlife preserved through taxidermy. 
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handicraft

the activity or art of skillfully using one’s hand to create attractive objects

Ex: Traditional handicraft techniques have been passed down through generations. 
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