NAÏVE ART | NUMBERED PRINTS
Quick links to more art terms and definitions are located at the end of the list.
Naïve Art
A style of art characterized by its childlike simplicity, which includes minute detail, vibrant colors, disproportionate figures, and a lack of perspective. It depicts basic, easy-to-understand situations of everyday life that are frequently romanticized. The lack of perspective frequently gives the impression that figures within naïve paintings are weightless or floating. Naïve artists are frequently self-taught and have very little or no formal training in art.
Naples Yellow
The oldest synthetic yellow hue of a muted reddish yellow to a bright light-yellow pigment. Known to have been created by the Ancient Egyptians. Often used in paintings during the 1700s through the 1850s.
Narrative Art
A type of visual art that tells a story or represents elements of a story. An example of this genre would be Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” or illustrations often found in children’s books.
Natural Pigments
(Also known as Earth Pigments or Mineral Pigments.)
Colored pigments derived directly from nature. Unlike synthetic pigments, they remain unaltered chemically, natural pigments emerge from minerals, plants, insects, and even microorganisms.
Nautical Still Life
A type of still life painting that focuses on objects related to the sea and maritime activities. This genre often includes items such as nautical instruments, ship parts, marine life, and other objects associated with the ocean and seafaring.
Nautical still lifes can capture the essence of maritime life, highlighting the textures, colors, and forms of nautical elements. These paintings emphasize human-made objects like nautical instruments (e.g., compasses, sextants), ship parts (e.g., anchors, ropes, lanterns, boat fenders), and other maritime artifacts.
National Art Education Association (NAEA)
A non-profit professional organization founded in 1947 in the United States and is based in Alexandria, Virginia. It is the world’s largest professional art education association. The NAEA uses visual arts, design, and media arts to educate and enrich the lives of all learners and communities, as well as to serve as a catalyst for future generations to be creative and culturally competent. Visit their website for more information about the NAEA.
Near Symmetry
A commonly used type of symmetry in drawing and painting. It refers to slight variations of any symmetry type. Near symmetry involves maintaining the overall balance and structure of a composition while intentionally introducing subtle imperfections or deviations. Think of it as a close cousin to perfect symmetry. While the mirroring or repetition is not exact, it still creates a sense of equilibrium.
Near symmetry allows artists to break away from strict perfection while retaining visual harmony. It adds a touch of organic variation, preventing monotony and enhancing viewer engagement.
Negative Space
Refers to the empty or open area surrounding an object in a piece of art. It serves to define the object, provides it with space to stand out, ensuring the artwork doesn’t appear overly crowded, and greatly influences the viewer’s perception of the piece.
In the example, it’s the “empty space” (the area in black) or unoccupied areas that lies between objects, shapes, and forms within a composition and is also the space in the background that is not at first noticeable. It goes in all directions and goes on forever. It flows in, around, and between shapes and objects.
Neon Art
A new art medium that uses neon lights to create visually stunning artworks that often incorporate motion and interactivity. Neon art serves to amplify the impact of art installations, setting itself apart from neon signage by focusing on atmospheric illumination and making bold statements, rather than serving advertising or directional purposes.
Neoclassicism
An artistic movement that emerged in the mid-18th century and reached its peak during the late 18th and early 19th centuries as a reaction against the excesses of Baroque and Rococo styles. Neoclassicism sought to revive the classical ideals of ancient Greece and Rome. Artists were drawn to the simplicity, harmony, and clarity found in the art of antiquity.
Neoplasticism
An influential artistic philosophy and modern art style that emerged in the early 20th century. Neoplasticism sought to create a purified abstract art, emphasizing balanced compositions of simple geometric shapes, right-angled relationships, and primary colors.
Neutral Color
Colors of very low saturation, approaching grays. Neutral colors do not appear on the color chart and are neither warm nor cool. These colors are termed ‘neutral’ because they are devoid of color, created by blending equal amounts of complementary colors, which produces muted grays. Black and white fall into the neutral category as well, since they are not warm or cool and remain unchanged in hue.
New Media Art
A genre of art that encompasses artworks created with new media technologies, including digital art, computer graphics, computer animation, virtual art, Internet art, interactive art, video games, computer robotics, 3D printing, and art as biotechnology.
NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens)
Represent a significant advancement in digital art. They are unique digital identifiers recorded on a blockchain and cannot be copied, reproduced, substituted, or subdivided. NFTs serve to verify the ownership and authenticity of singular items such as art, music, or films.
Non-objective Art
(Also known as nonfigurative art, nonrepresentational art, or geometric art.)
An abstract or nonrepresentational style of art that does not portray scenes or objects as they appear in the real world. Instead, the artist focuses on creating a visual expression through the formal elements of texture, value, color, shape, and line. Non-objective art is often defined by its use of geometric forms. Many people find this art form challenging to comprehend or enjoy because they tend to gravitate towards imagery with tangible elements.
Non-Western Art
(Also called Tribal Art.)
Art that encompasses a rich tapestry of artistic expressions from cultures and societies outside of the Western world. It includes works from Asia, Africa, Oceania, Latin America, and other regions. Many pieces carry deep symbolic meanings tied to spirituality, rituals, and community.
Nonfigurative Art
(Also known as nonrepresentational art.)
Artwork that represents something in an abstract way. Instead of trying to depict recognizable physical objects from reality, nonfigurative art uses shapes, lines, and color to create visuals that transcend direct representation.
Nonrepresentational Art
(Also known as nonfigurative art or complete abstraction.)
Artwork that doesn’t rely on recognizable objects, people, or scenes from the physical world as references. Instead, it focuses on elements like lines, shapes, and colors. Nonrepresentational art breaks free from reality and explores the abstract. While it is closely related to abstract art, there’s a subtle difference. In abstraction, an artist distorts or interprets a known thing, person, or place. However, nonrepresentational art doesn’t start with any specific subject. It’s not about distorting something; it’s about creating from scratch.
Norse Art
(Also known as Viking Art.)
Artwork that encompasses the creative expressions of Scandinavian Norsemen during the Viking Age (8th to 11th centuries CE). Norse art often depicted animals, ornamental designs, and mythological symbols. Runestones, ship carvings, and intricate brooches are iconic examples.
Nude
A work of art (most often a painting or sculpture) depicting an individual without clothing or very little clothing.
Numbered Prints
A term used in printmaking to indicate the number of editions struck from one plate. Typically, this number is written as a fraction over the total edition size. For instance, “24/100” signifies the print’s unique number and the overall number of editions. Contemporary artists often limit their editions, signing and numbering them in pencil.
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