Art History Words and Terms Beginning With P
Listed here are Art History words and terms that begin with the letter "P". Selecting any entry below will lead to its page and the ability to view its full definition.
painterly
Shapes in a painterly composition aren't sharply defined and the whole piece may be showing obvious brushwork.
Shapes in a painterly composition aren't sharply defined and the whole piece may be showing obvious brushwork.
papier mâché
Papier mâché is a French term that means "chewed paper."
Papier mâché is a French term that means "chewed paper."
pattern
A principle of art - and probably of the universe itself - pattern means the repetition of an element (or elements) in a work.
A principle of art - and probably of the universe itself - pattern means the repetition of an element (or elements) in a work.
perspective
In the context of drawing or painting, perspective is the technique an artist uses to create the illusion of three dimensions on a flat surface.
In the context of drawing or painting, perspective is the technique an artist uses to create the illusion of three dimensions on a flat surface.
proportion
Proportion is a principle of art that describes the size, location or amount of one element to another (or to the whole) in a work.
Proportion is a principle of art that describes the size, location or amount of one element to another (or to the whole) in a work.
Proto-Renaissance
The term Proto-Renaissance, first coined by the Swiss art historian Jacob Burckhardt, denotes the period in Northern Italian art from (roughly) 1150-1400.
The term Proto-Renaissance, first coined by the Swiss art historian Jacob Burckhardt, denotes the period in Northern Italian art from (roughly) 1150-1400.
putti
Putti are those plump little naked boys with wings that one often sees in Renaissance, Mannerist, Baroque and Rococo art.
Putti are those plump little naked boys with wings that one often sees in Renaissance, Mannerist, Baroque and Rococo art.
pysanky
Pysanky are those glorious Ukrainian Easter eggs.
Pysanky are those glorious Ukrainian Easter eggs.