abstract art
Shapes over subjects
Abstract art depicts no recognizable objects or scenes from the physical world, instead using color, shape, line, and texture to create compositions independent of visual reality.
The term covers movements from early 20th-century pioneers like Kandinsky and Mondrian through later developments like abstract expressionism.
The museum's collection of abstract art left some visitors puzzled.
Geometric, fragmented visual style
- surrealismIrrational, dreamlike aesthetic
- dadaismAbsurdist artistic movement
- minimalismAesthetic of reduction
- expressionismDistorting reality for emotion
futurism · suprematism · constructivism · neo-expressionism · op art · pop art · color field · action painting
Not depicting reality
- nonobjectiveLacking depicted subject matter
- nonrepresentationalNot depicting reality
- formlessLacking definite shape
- ambiguousHaving multiple interpretations
undefined · shapeless · amorphous · indeterminate · unrecognizable · deconstruction · fragmentation · dissolution
Marks left by painting
- gesturalRelating to body movements
- impastoHeavily applied pigment technique
- dripLiquid falling slowly
- splatterScatter in drops
layering · collage · monochrome · mixed media · assemblage · staining · pouring · scraping
Arranged elements forming whole
- formShape or document
- shapeExternal outline of something
- lineContinuous mark or queue
- colorVisual hue property
texture · space · balance · contrast · harmony · asymmetry · geometric · organic
Surface for mixing pigments
- hueColor's specific character
- saturationState of complete permeation
- vibrantFull of life, intensity
- chromaticRelating to color
tonal · monochromatic · complementary · contrast · gradient · bold · muted · pigment
Mental formation
- conceptAbstract mental construct
- meaningWhat something signifies
- symbolismRepresenting concepts through images
- interpretationAssigned meaning
perception · essence · emotion · intuition · subjectivity · philosophy · theory · metaphor
Testing new methods
- innovativeIntroducing new ideas
- radicalRoot-indicating symbol
- unconventionalDeparting from standard practice
- groundbreakingIntroducing radical new ideas
pioneering · visionary · nonconformist · provocative · boundary-pushing · rebellious · subversive · transgressive
cubism
Geometric, fragmented visual style
- surrealismIrrational, dreamlike aesthetic
- dadaismAbsurdist artistic movement
- minimalismAesthetic of reduction
expressionism · futurism · suprematism · constructivism · neo-expressionism · op art · pop art · color field · action painting
nonfigurative
Not depicting reality
- nonobjectiveLacking depicted subject matter
- nonrepresentationalNot depicting reality
- formlessLacking definite shape
ambiguous · undefined · shapeless · amorphous · indeterminate · unrecognizable · deconstruction · fragmentation · dissolution · void
brushstrokes
Marks left by painting
splatter · layering · collage · monochrome · mixed media · assemblage · staining · pouring · scraping · masking
composition
Arranged elements forming whole
color · texture · space · balance · contrast · harmony · asymmetry · geometric · organic · flatness
palette
Surface for mixing pigments
- hueColor's specific character
- saturationState of complete permeation
- vibrantFull of life, intensity
chromatic · tonal · monochromatic · complementary · contrast · gradient · bold · muted · pigment · spectrum
idea
Mental formation
- conceptAbstract mental construct
- meaningWhat something signifies
- symbolismRepresenting concepts through images
interpretation · perception · essence · emotion · intuition · subjectivity · philosophy · theory · metaphor · ambiguity
experimental
Testing new methods
- innovativeIntroducing new ideas
- radicalRoot-indicating symbol
- unconventionalDeparting from standard practice
groundbreaking · pioneering · visionary · nonconformist · provocative · boundary-pushing · rebellious · subversive · transgressive · iconoclastic
- paintingoil painting, watercolor, acrylic paint, oils, oil paints
- paintingsoil paintings, watercolors, acrylics, tempera, gouache
- art termspainting, sculpture, drawing, portrait, landscape
- modernismPicasso, Matisse, Duchamp, Braque, Kandinsky
- painting genresportraiture, portraits, landscape, landscapes, still life
- neuroaestheticsaesthetic judgment, visual aesthetics, aesthetic pleasure, brain imaging, visual cortex
abstract artfigurative art
Art depicting recognizable subjects
realism · realistic art · photorealism · naturalism · portraiture
abstract artrealism
Accepting things as they are
Realism · Hyperrealism · social realism · classical art · Renaissance art
abstract, abstraction, abstracted, abstracting, abstractness, abstractedly, abstractions, abstract painting