Complete List of Terms and Definitions for art history exam 3 complete

Terms Definitions
Groin Vault formed at the point at which 2 barrel vaults intersect at right angles (cross vault)
barrel vault an elongated or continuous semicircular vault, shaped like a half cylinder
crossing traveling across/ crossing The space in a cruciform church formed by the intersection of thenave and the transept.
Transept A rectangular area which cuts across the main axis
chevet bk-eastern end of Gothic church containing choir, ambulatory, and radiating chapels
reliquary a container where religious relics are stored or displayed (especially relics of saints)
Fibula A pin or brooch used to fasten fabric at the shoulder of togas of ancient Greece and Rome. They were often of decorative design.
lunettes A semicircular area (with the flat side down) in a wall over a door, niche, or window; also, a painting or relief with a semicircular frame.
clerestory bk-fenestrated part of a structure that rise above the aisle roofs
Basilica in Roman architecture, a civic building for legal and other civic proceedings, rectangular in plan with an entrance usually on a long side. In Christian architecture, a church somewhat resembling the Roman basilica, usually entered from one end and with an apse at the other.
ambulatory the passage (walkway) around the apse in a basilican church or around the central space in a central-plan church
Mihrab (Islam) a niche in the wall of a mosque that indicates the direction of Mecca/ A semicircular niche set into the qibla wall of a mosque
Clerestory the fenestrated part of a building that rises above the roofs of the other parts. In Roman basilicas and medieval churches, the windows that form the uppermost level of the nave below the timber ceiling or the vaults.
carolingian The style of art in France that was inspired by the Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne/ period saw the first centralized political organization since the fall of Rome.
AbbotSuger served as regent of France, abbot of Saint-Denis and was responsible for its rebuilding. coined term "lux nova"
Capital the uppermost member of a column, serving as a transition from the shaft to the lintel. In classical architecture, the form of the capital varies with the order.
Clerestory the fenestrated part of a building that rises above the roofs of the other parts. In Roman basilicas and medieval churches, the windows that form the uppermost level of the nave below the timber ceiling or the vaults.
aisles The portion of a basilica flanking the nave and separated from it by a row of columns or piers
Ambulatory a covered walkway, outdoors (as in a church cloister) or indoors, especially the passageway around the apse and the choir of a church.
apse a recess, usually semicircular in the wall of a Roman basilica or at the east end of a church
tympanum half-round panel that fills the space between the lintel and arch over the doorway of the church.
narthex entrance hall into church
Ambulatory a covered walkway, outdoors (as in a church cloister) or indoors, especially the passageway around the apse and the choir of a church.
carolingian The style of art in France that was inspired by the Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne/ Carolingian The _ period saw the first centralized political organization since the fall of Rome.
rose window A circular window composed of patterned tracery arranged in petal-like formation. /large circular window of stained glass popular in Gothic churches /a large round window on the west façade or transept, containing tracery that became more elaborate as the Gothic era progressed
orant a figure with both arms raised in the ancient gesture of prayer
campanile the italian term for a freestanding bell tower
jamb a side post of a doorway
Triforium bk-triforium a blind arcaded band below the clerestory /compartment above nave arcade and below clestory and 3 arches. of a basilica-type buiding and projects beyond it.
annunciation the announcement to Mary that she would be the mother of the Son of God
Pantokrator Refers to specific image of Christ as "ruler over all"-head and shoulders only, holding book, gesture of authority/blessing, beard and long hair came later.
carpet page In early medieval manuscripts, a decorative page resembling a textile.
Mihrab (Islam) a niche in the wall of a mosque that indicates the direction of Mecca/ Mihrab A semicircular niche set into the qibla wall of a mosque
jamb a side post of a doorway
aisles The portion of a basilica flanking the nave and separated from it by a row of columns or piers
Benedictine religious order began by Benedict/ Benedictine The most widely adopted of all monastic rules
rib vault a vault in which the diagonal and transverse ribs compose a structural skeleton that partially supports the masonry web between them
Nave Arcade the series of arches supported by piers seperating the nave from the side aisles
Benedictine Which order of monks had strict rules such as bed inspections and no private possession?/Benedict Italian monk
Mosque Muslim house of worship
Mosque Muslim house of worship
rib vault a vault in which the diagonal and transverse ribs compose a structural skeleton that partially supports the masonry web between them
mosaic art consisting of a design made of small pieces of colored stone or glass; usually done in tesserae
radiating chapels semicircular openings off of the ambulatory
Qibla literally means the direction of prayer, facing toward Mekkah. In mosque architecture, the qibla wall indicates the orientation of prayer.
Benedictine religious order began by Benedict/ Benedictine The most widely adopted of all monastic rules
compound piers piers with columns or pilasters attached to their rectangular core
carpet page In early medieval manuscripts, a decorative page resembling a textile.
Cistercian Cistercian Order/ monks of a Roman Catholic religious order founded (1098) by St. Robert, abbot of Molesme, in Cîteaux , France. They reacted against Cluniac departures from the Rule of St. Benedict. The particular stamp of the Cistercians stems from the abbacy (c.1109­1134) of St. Stephen Harding. The black habit of the Benedictines was changed to unbleached white and the Cistercians became known as White Monks. St. Bernard of Clairvaux is often regarded as their "second founder." Through a return to strict asceticism and a life of poverty, the Cistercians sought to recover the ideals of the original Benedictines.
relics The body parts, clothing, or objects associated with a holy figure, such as the Buddha or Christ or a Christian saint.
holy roman empire the lands ruled by Charlemagne
triumphal arch In Roman architecture, a freestanding arch commemorating an important event, such as a military victory or the opening of a new road. In Christian architecture, the arch framing the apse at the end of a church nave.
catacombs Underground burial chambers
the death of Jesus on the cross
catacombs Underground burial chambers
portal Any doorway or entrance but especially one that is large and imposing.
monastic order
flying buttress consists typically of an inclined member carried on an arch or series of arches and a solid buttress to which it transmits lateran thrust
radiating chapel for the display of the relics
Aisle the portion of a basilica flanking the nave and separated from it by a row of columns or piers.
Chevet the east or apsidal, end of a Gothic church, including the choir, ambulatory and radiating chapels.
bestiary A collection of illustrations of real and imaginary animals.
Flying Buttresses Rows of supporting ribs outside the walls of Gothic churches/ inclined member carrying the thrust of a vault downward and outward to lower supports
Sarcophagus an ancient marble or stone coffin, often decorated with artwork and inscriptions
Apse a recess, usually semicircular, in the wall of a Roman basilica or at the east end of a church.
Abbot Suger twelfth-century cleric who built the first Gothic building /began Gothic Architecture
Cistercian Cistercian Order/ monks of a Roman Catholic religious order founded (1098) by St. Robert, abbot of Molesme, in Cîteaux , France. They reacted against Cluniac departures from the Rule of St. Benedict. The particular stamp of the Cistercians stems from the abbacy (c.1109­1134) of St. Stephen Harding. The black habit of the Benedictines was changed to unbleached white and the Cistercians became known as White Monks. St. Bernard of Clairvaux is often regarded as their "second founder." Through a return to strict asceticism and a life of poverty, the Cistercians sought to recover the ideals of the original Benedictines.
Hiberno-Saxon An art style that flourished in the monasteries of the British Isles in the early Middle Ages.
Hiberno-Saxon An art style that flourished in the monasteries of the British Isles in the early Middle Ages.
Transept A rectangular area which cuts across the main axis
Historiated Capital a capital having carvings tht depict an event or story./ capital which is decorated with figures of animals, birds, or humans, used either alone or combined with foliage. The figures need not have any meaning, although they may be symbolic or part of a narrative sequence. Historiated capitals were most commonly used in the Romanesque from the late eleventh to mid-twelfth centuries.
orant a figure with both arms raised in the ancient gesture of prayer
portal Any doorway or entrance but especially one that is large and imposing.
Bay a subdivision of the interior space of a building. In Romanesque and Gothic churches, the transverse arches and piers of the arcade divide the building into bays.
Basilica in Roman architecture, a civic building for legal and other civic proceedings, rectangular in plan with an entrance usually on a long side. In Christian architecture, a church somewhat resembling the Roman basilica, usually entered from one end and with an apse at the other.
tympanum half-round panel that fills the space between the lintel and arch over the doorway of the church.
Capital the uppermost member of a column, serving as a transition from the shaft to the lintel. In classical architecture, the form of the capital varies with the order.
tribune flat area with paintings over the arches separating the nave from aisles
charlemagne King of the Franks (r. 768-814); emperor (r. 800-814). Through a series of military conquests he established the Carolingian empire, which encompassed all of Gaul and parts of Germany and Italy. Illiterate, though started an intellectual revival. (250)
barrel vault an elongated or continuous semicircular vault, shaped like a half cylinder
Nave Arcade the series of arches supported by piers seperating the nave from the side aisles
lunettes semicircular designs with artwork/ lunette A semicircular area (with the flat side down) in a wall over a door, niche, or window; also, a painting or relief with a semicircular frame.
apse a semicircular recess at the east end of a Christian church
pendentive An inverted, concave, triangular piece of masonry serving as the transition from a square support system to the circular base of a dome./ curved triangular supports for a dome.
Necropolis a tract of land used for burials; "city of the dead"
tribune flat area with paintings over the arches separating the nave from aisles
bestiary A collection of illustrations of real and imaginary animals.
pendentive An inverted, concave, triangular piece of masonry serving as the transition from a square support system to the circular base of a dome./Pendentive curved triangular supports for a dome/ Pendentive A triangular curved surface between two arches and beneath a dome.
Abbot Suger served as regent of France, abbot of Saint-Denis and was responsible for its rebuilding. coined term "lux nova"
trumeau center post supporting the lintel in the middle doorway
Cloisonné An enameling technique in which thin wire partitions-cloisons-are filled with enamel. It is an art form practiced in ancient Byzantium
Cloisonné a process of enameling employing cloisons. Also, decorative brickwork in later Byzantine architecture.
muhammad the Arab prophet who founded Islam (570-632)
Abbot Suger bk-Abbot Suger twelfth-century cleric who built the first Gothic building /began Gothic Architecture
annunciation the announcement to Mary that she would be the mother of the Son of God
Triforium a blind arcaded band below the clerestory /compartment above nave arcade and below clestory and 3 arches. of a basilica-type buiding and projects beyond it.
Benedictine Which order of monks had strict rules such as bed inspections and no private possession?/Benedict Italian monk
Chevet the east or apsidal, end of a Gothic church, including the choir, ambulatory and radiating chapels.
apse bk-a semicircular recess at the east end of a Christian church
ambulatory the passage (walkway) around the apse in a basilican church or around the central space in a central-plan church
piers vertical, freestanding masonry supports
Icon - a portrait or image especially in Byzantine art, a panel with a painting of sacred personages that are objects of veneration. In the visual arts, a painting, a piece of sculpture, or even a building regarded as an object of veneration.
Fresco a durable method of painting on a wall by using watercolors on wet plaster
piers vertical, freestanding masonry supports
Reliquary bk-a container where religious relics are stored or displayed (especially relics of saints)
apse a recess, usually semicircular in the wall of a Roman basilica or at the east end of a church
Groin Vault formed at the point at which 2 barrel vaults intersect at right angles (cross vault)
Pantokrator Refers to specific image of Christ as "ruler over all"-head and shoulders only, holding book, gesture of authority/blessing, beard and long hair came later.
nave the central area of a church
reliquary a container where religious relics are stored or displayed (especially relics of saints)
Flying Buttresses bk-Rows of supporting ribs outside the walls of Gothic churches bk-flying buttress inclined member carrying the thrust of a vault downward and outward to lower supports
muhammad the Arab prophet who founded Islam (570-632)
Koran holy book of Islam/Muslim
Fresco a durable method of painting on a wall by using watercolors on wet plaster
radiating chapel for the display of the relics/ semicircular openings off of the ambulatory
pilgrimage a journey to a sacred place
Minaret the tower attached to a mosque from which the muezzin, or crier, calls the faithful to prayer five times a day/ a distinctive feature of mosque architecture, a tower from which the faithful are called to worship
Icon a portrait or image especially in Byzantine art, a panel with a painting of sacred personages that are objects of veneration. In the visual arts, a painting, a piece of sculpture, or even a building regarded as an object of veneration.
Qibla literally means the direction of prayer, facing toward Mekkah. In mosque architecture, the qibla wall indicates the orientation of prayer.
nave the central area of a church
clerestory part of an interior wall rising above the adjacent roof with windows admitting light
Historiated Capital a capital having carvings tht depict an event or story./ capital which is decorated with figures of animals, birds, or humans, used either alone or combined with foliage. The figures need not have any meaning, although they may be symbolic or part of a narrative sequence. Historiated capitals were most commonly used in the Romanesque from the late eleventh to mid-twelfth centuries.
Sarcophagus an ancient marble or stone coffin, often decorated with artwork and inscriptions
Minaret the tower attached to a mosque from which the muezzin, or crier, calls the faithful to prayer five times a day/ minaret a distinctive feature of mosque architecture, a tower from which the faithful are called to worship
pilgrimage a journey to a sacred place
relic an object considered holy because it belonged to, or was touched by, a saint or other holy person/ The body parts, clothing, or objects associated with a holy figure, such as the Buddha or Christ or a Christian saint.
Aisle the portion of a basilica flanking the nave and separated from it by a row of columns or piers.
relic an object considered holy because it belonged to, or was touched by, a saint or other holy person
Iconoclasm The breaking of images; a religious controvery of the 8th century; Byzantine emperor attempted, but failed, to surpress icon veneration
campanile the italian term for a freestanding bell tower
charlemagne King of the Franks (r. 768-814); emperor (r. 800-814). Through a series of military conquests he established the Carolingian empire, which encompassed all of Gaul and parts of Germany and Italy. Illiterate, though started an intellectual revival. (250)
Cloisonné An enameling technique in which thin wire partitions-cloisons-are filled with enamel. It is an art form practiced in ancient Byzantium
Necropolis a tract of land used for burials; "city of the dead"
rose window bk-Rose Window A circular window composed of patterned tracery arranged in petal-like formation. /bk-large circular window of stained glass popular in Gothic churches /A large round window on the west façade or transept, containing tracery that became more elaborate as the Gothic era progressed
compound piers piers with columns or pilasters attached to their rectangular core
basilica In Roman architecture, a civic building for legal and other civic proceedings, rectangular in plan with an entrance usually on a long side. In Christian architecture, a church somewhat resembling the Roman basilica, usually entered from one end and with an apse at the other.
trumeau center post supporting the lintel in the middle doorway
crossing traveling across/ The space in a cruciform church formed by the intersection of thenave and the transept.
Bay a subdivision of the interior space of a building. In Romanesque and Gothic churches, the transverse arches and piers of the arcade divide the building into bays.
Iconoclasm The breaking of images; a religious controvery of the 8th century; Byzantine emperor attempted, but failed, to surpress icon veneration
narthex entrance hall into church
mosaic art consisting of a design made of small pieces of colored stone or glass; usually done in tesserae
triumphal arch In Roman architecture, a freestanding arch commemorating an important event, such as a military victory or the opening of a new road. In Christian architecture, the arch framing the apse at the end of a church nave.
Koran holy book of Islam/Muslim