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Advanced Vocabulary for TOEFL - Art

Here you will learn some English words about art, such as "somber", "rococo", "formalism", etc. that are needed for the TOEFL exam.

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Advanced Words Needed for TOEFL
concrete
concrete
[Adjective]

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

Ex: The detective searched for concrete clues at the crime scene to solve the mystery. 
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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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monochrome
monochrome
[Adjective]

(of a picture or photograph) containing or portraying images in black and white or different shades of a single color only

Ex: The artist's monochrome painting was entirely in shades of gray, creating a striking contrast with the vibrant colors around it. 
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lowbrow
lowbrow
[Adjective]

lacking sophistication or cultural depth

Ex: The comedy was criticized for its lowbrow humor and predictable punchlines. 
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somber
somber
[Adjective]

dark and gloomy in color, especially gray or black

Ex: The somber clouds hung low in the sky, casting a shadow over the landscape. 
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sublime
sublime
[Adjective]

having exceptional beauty or excellence

Ex: The pianist's performance of the concerto was sublime, leaving the audience in awe of her talent. 
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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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Rococo
Rococo
[noun]

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

Ex: The Rococo movement left a legacy of intricate scrollwork and florid details that continue to inspire modern designers. 
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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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Dada
Dada
[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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expressionism

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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impressionism

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

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

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

Ex: 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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naturalism

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

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postmodernism

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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to daub
to daub
[Verb]

to spread a sticky substance such as mud, paint, etc. on a surface in a careless way

Ex: She daubed ointment on the wound to soothe the irritation and promote healing. 
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to etch
to etch
[Verb]

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

Ex: The artist etched a detailed illustration on a metal plate. 
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bricolage
bricolage
[noun]

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

Ex: 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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composition

the artistic arrangement of people, objects, or elements in a painting or image

Ex: The painting's composition leads the viewer's eye toward the central figure. 
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installation

a form of modern sculpture constructed using sound, light, movement, etc. as well as objects, often as a temporary piece of art

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fresco
fresco
[noun]

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

Ex: 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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grotesque
grotesque
[noun]

a work of art or decorative motif featuring an incongruous combination of human, animal, and plant forms

Ex: The cathedral's walls were adorned with grotesques blending humans and foliage. 
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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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diptych
diptych
[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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easel
easel
[noun]

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

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tempera
tempera
[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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cityscape
cityscape
[noun]

a painting or photograph representing a city or an urban area

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avant-garde

a collective or movement at the forefront of experimentation, determined to challenge established conventions and pioneer new forms of expression

Ex: The avant-garde of 1910s Paris challenged every artistic convention with their new manifestos. 
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connoisseur

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

Ex: 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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conservator

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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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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