dilettanti
Superficial art lovers
Dilettanti is the Italian plural of dilettante—a person who cultivates an art or field of knowledge superficially, without serious commitment.
The word carries a whiff of condescension: dilettanti dabble where experts dedicate themselves.
The gallery opening attracted genuine collectors alongside the usual dilettanti.
The anglicized plural dilettantes is more common in contemporary usage.
One who skims surfaces
- nonprofessionalOne lacking formal credentials
- hobbyistRecreational pursuer of interests
- tinkererHobbyist who adjusts mechanisms
- casualRelaxed and informal
recreational · weekender · avocational · Sunday painter · parlor · salon · leisure · pastime
Knowledgeable, passionate follower
- devoteeZealous admirer or follower
- admirerOne who esteems another
- buffAvid fan; also burnish
- enthusiastArdent admirer of something
lover · appreciator · fan · follower · amateur · fancier · connoisseur · cognoscente
Without much depth
- cursoryHasty and incomplete
- superficialLacking depth or substance
- dilettantishSuperficially engaged, not expert
- skimmingPassing lightly over
dabbling · pretentious · poseur · pretender · affected · frivolous · lightweight · unserious
Lover of the beautiful
- connoisseurExpert in matters of taste
- patronRegular supporter or customer
- collectorOne who gathers items
- salonGrooming establishment or gathering
gallery · vernissage · exhibition · opera · ballet · symphony · belles-lettres · fine arts
dabbler
One who skims surfaces
- nonprofessionalOne lacking formal credentials
- hobbyistRecreational pursuer of interests
- tinkererHobbyist who adjusts mechanisms
casual · recreational · weekender · avocational · Sunday painter · parlor · salon · leisure · pastime · dalliance
aficionado
Knowledgeable, passionate follower
enthusiast · lover · appreciator · fan · follower · amateur · fancier · connoisseur · cognoscente · maven
shallow
Without much depth
- cursoryHasty and incomplete
- superficialLacking depth or substance
- dilettantishSuperficially engaged, not expert
skimming · dabbling · pretentious · poseur · pretender · affected · frivolous · lightweight · unserious · half-learned
aesthete
Lover of the beautiful
- connoisseurExpert in matters of taste
- patronRegular supporter or customer
- collectorOne who gathers items
salon · gallery · vernissage · exhibition · opera · ballet · symphony · belles-lettres · fine arts · painting
dilettantiexperts
Highly skilled practitioners
professionals · masters · specialists · virtuosos · authorities
dilettantitrue believers
Unwavering adherents to doctrine
purists · professionals · obsessives · fanatics · diehards