Flashcards: AHST Exam 1

The detailed examination of the visual elements in an artwork (such as color, composition, form, line, texture, and space) to understand its meaning, style, and historical context.

A painted or sculpted work of art placed behind an altar in a Christian church, often depicting religious scenes or figures. They were prominent in medieval and Renaissance art.

The study and interpretation of subject matter and symbolism in visual arts, often focusing on religious, mythological, or historical themes.

Artworks and cultural objects looted during wartime, often by invading forces. Many significant art pieces in museums today were acquired as spoils of war.

The process of returning artworks or cultural heritage items to their rightful owners or countries, particularly those looted or taken unjustly during colonial periods or wars.

The legacy of physical artifacts (e.g., monuments, artworks) and intangible attributes (e.g., traditions, languages) inherited from past generations, preserved for future generations.

Items of significant cultural, historical, or religious importance to a community or nation, often protected under international law, such as UNESCO treaties.

Cultural property that has special significance to a particular nation or ethnic group and is considered an inalienable part of its cultural identity.

A type of pottery fired at high temperatures, making it more durable than earthenware but less refined than porcelain. It is often used for utilitarian objects.

A fine, high-fired ceramic material made from kaolin clay, known for its translucency and strength, historically associated with Chinese and European luxury items.

A term often referring to cobalt blue, a color commonly used in Islamic ceramics, especially on porcelain and pottery, influenced by the trade routes along the Silk Road.

An ancient trade network that connected the East and West, facilitating not only the exchange of goods like silk and spices but also cultural and artistic influences, including ceramics, art, and iconography.

A type of ceramic made from a mixture of quartz, clay, and glassy frit, often used in Islamic pottery for fine, decorative items.

The material or technique used by an artist to create a work of art, such as oil paint, marble, bronze, etc.

A metamorphic rock prized for its fine texture and ability to hold intricate detail, frequently used in sculpture and architecture, especially in ancient Greece and Rome.

A durable metal alloy made of copper and tin, commonly used in sculpture since antiquity due to its strength and ability to capture fine details.

A method of metal casting in which a wax model is coated with a mold material, then melted away and replaced with molten metal, typically used for bronze sculptures.

A technique where bronze objects are coated with a thin layer of gold by applying mercury and then heating the object to evaporate the mercury, leaving behind the gold.

The scientific study of ancient cultures through the excavation and analysis of artifacts, architecture, and other physical remains.

A building technique where stones are stacked without the use of mortar, relying on the precision of the stone cutting and gravity for stability.

An American explorer credited with the rediscovery of the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu in 1911, which he documented and brought to international attention.

A Catholic saint known for his love of nature, simplicity, and dedication to poverty. His teachings influenced art, especially in depictions of nature and animals in religious contexts.

A Catholic religious order founded by St. Francis of Assisi, focused on humility, poverty, and missionary work, often depicted in religious art and architecture.

The formal process by which the Catholic Church declares a deceased person to be a saint, often accompanied by artistic representations of the saint in religious iconography.

An underground burial chamber often found beneath churches or cathedrals, commonly used in Christian art and architecture as part of religious burial practices.

A technique of mural painting where pigments are applied onto freshly laid lime plaster, allowing the paint to become an integral part of the wall surface. Famous in Renaissance art.

Marks or wounds resembling those of Christ's crucifixion, which some saints, especially St. Francis of Assisi, were believed to have miraculously received. Often depicted in religious art

A work of art, monument, or structure that commemorates a person, event, or group, often in the context of war, tragedy, or historical significance.

"Stumbling stones" are small brass plaques embedded in the streets of Europe to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust, bearing the names of individuals who lived in the nearby areas.

A monumental archway built to commemorate a victory or significant event, originating in Roman architecture and often adorned with reliefs and inscriptions.

Art or visual culture used to influence public opinion or promote political ideologies, especially in the context of war, dictatorship, or state control.

Artworks or treasures taken by victorious armies during war, often displayed in public to symbolize dominance and power, such as in ancient Rome or during colonial conquests.

A sculpture depicting a rider on horseback, typically used to commemorate military leaders or rulers, symbolizing power and control. Examples include monuments of emperors and kings.