TURNS OUT, DADA IS A GROWN-UP WORD.

Can You Describe That Painting? 12 Styles and Their Names Explained

Image: Lukas Meier

As someone said, If it exists, it can be named. The arts have always been very prolific when it comes to creating new forms of expression and giving them names that act as a separating barrier between the old and the new.

Every artist has a unique style, which can range from abstract to realistic, from impressionistic to expressionistic, and beyond. Understanding the different painting styles can help us appreciate the beauty of each one of them. Let’s take a look at twelve of them!

Image: Abraham Janssens I, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The term "Baroque" came from the Portuguese word barroco, meaning "irregularly shaped pearl", which later evolved to describe ornate and extravagant art, such as what we now know as Baroque. These paintings often depict dynamic scenes, with figures in motion and intense emotions portrayed through gestures and facial expressions. Baroque artists skillfully employed techniques like chiaroscuro (light and shadow), tenebrism (dramatic use of shadows), and foreshortening (illusion of depth) to create a sense of depth and Realism.

Image: Jacques-Louis David, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

As the saying goes, Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. While Neoclassicism might not be a straight imitation, it certainly owes to the aesthetics of classical antiquity, particularly Greece and Rome. Emerging in the mid-18th century and flourishing until the early 19th century, Neoclassicism was a sweeping cultural movement that permeated various artistic disciplines, including painting, sculpture, and architecture. As a movement, it sought to emulate the perceived perfection, harmony, and rationality of the ancient world.

The term "Neoclassicism" itself emerged in the late 18th century, referring to the enduring influence of classical art and culture.

Image: Sailko, via Wikimedia Commons

Arising in the early 18th century as a reaction to the greatness and formality of the Baroque style, Rococo painting proposed a lighter, more playful aesthetic. It was characterized by delicate pastel colors and an emphasis on movement and asymmetry.

The term "Rococo" supposedly originated from the French word rocaille, which refers to the shell-work ornamentation that was popular during the period. This decorative element, often used in fountains and grottoes, embodied the Rococo style's fondness for curves, asymmetry, and natural forms.

Image: Birmingham Museums Trust

Impressionism is a revolutionary painting style that emerged in the late 19th century. The term "Impressionism" was coined by one of the style’s biggest stars, Claude Monet, in his painting titled "Impression, Sunrise."

It is characterized by vibrant brushstrokes and it aims to convey the artist's impression rather than a realistic representation. Rejecting the strict techniques of academic art, impressionists sought to capture the essence and atmosphere of a scene.

Image: Cris DiNoto

If you have ever seen the famous works with the Campbell Soup cans, you have seen Pop Art. It is a vibrant and iconic style that emerged in the 1950s and 1960s, challenging the traditional boundaries of art. The term itself, "Pop Art," was first used by the art critic Lawrence Alloway in 1958, referring to art that incorporates popular cultural elements.

Influenced by mass media, advertising, and consumerism, Pop Art celebrated everyday objects, celebrities, and even comic books. Artists like Andy Warhol (yes, the one from the Campbell Soup painting) and Roy Lichtenstein used bold colors, graphic techniques, and repetition to create visually striking and thought-provoking works.

Image: José Luis Filpo Caban, via Wikimedia Commons

If the painting of the melting watches or its creator, Salvador Dalí, comes to mind, then you know SurRealism. It is an enigmatic art movement that emerged in the early 20th century. The term "SurRealism" was coined by the French writer and poet, Guillaume Apollinaire, in 1917.

Surrealist paintings sought to explore the realm of the unconscious mind and tap into the power of dreams and the fantastic. Artists like Salvador Dali and René Magritte created bizarre and dreamlike works to provoke thought and challenge rationality. The style aimed to liberate the imagination, allowing the viewer to interpret the artwork in their unique way.

Image: Kseniya Lapteva

It is so unconventional as a style that some people even refuse to call it art. But still, Abstract Art is a captivating and strange painting style that emerged in the early 20th century. The term "abstract" refers to the idea of art that does not attempt to represent an accurate depiction of visual reality. It was used to describe the works of artists like Wassily Kandinsky, who believed that art should focus on the expression of emotions, ideas, or concepts rather than on recognizable objects. Abstract Art often features shapes, colors, and forms that are simplified or distorted to create a sense of movement, rhythm, and harmony.

Image: Aleksandr Glukhov, via Wikimedia Commons

In a medium where personal expression is paramount, Expressionism is king (to some, at least). This is a powerful and intense art movement that emerged in the early 20th century. The term "Expressionism" refers to the idea of art that is deeply personal and expressive, aimed at conveying powerful emotions and ideas. It was first used to describe the works of artists like Emil Nolde, who sought to depict the raw emotions and inner conflicts of their subjects. Expressionist paintings often feature sharp lines, bold colors, and distorted forms, creating a sense of tension, anxiety, and alienation. Not the most cheerful stuff, indeed, but it makes up for great art.

Image: Hennie Niemann, via Wikimedia Commons

Coined by the French art critic Louis Vauxcelles in 1908, the term "Cubism" refers to the geometric forms and fragmented perspectives used by artists such as Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. Cubist paintings sought to depict objects from multiple viewpoints at the same time, breaking them down into geometric shapes and planes. By challenging traditional notions of perspective and representation, cubist artists aimed to capture the essence of an object beyond its physical appearance. The resulting artworks often appear as abstract and fragmented, yet still convey a sense of recognizable forms.

Image: Gustave Courbet, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Hailing from the 19th century, "Realism" is a style inspired by the belief that art should represent the world as it is. The term "Realism" was first used to describe the works of artists such as Gustave Courbet, who sought to capture everyday scenes and the lives of ordinary people. Realist paintings often feature detailed and accurate depictions of people, places, and objects. By rejecting the idealization and exaggerated emotion of earlier art movements, realist artists sought to create a more honest and direct impression of the world around them.

Image: Dmitry Tomashek

It means "new art" in its original French and it certainly must have appeared that way to the people of the late 19th century. Art Nouveau was a popular artistic movement that became a recognizable style throughout the world. It reflects its contemporary nature and its rejection of the styles that came before it. The Art Nouveau is characterized by its use of flowing lines, sinuous curves, and abstracted forms, often inspired by nature and the natural world.

Image: John Baeder, via Wikimedia Commons

Often mistaken for photographs, Photorealism is a painting style that emerged in the late 1960s. The term "Photorealism" was coined by the art dealer Louis K. Meisel in 1969, describing the works of artists like Chuck Close and Richard Estes. Photorealistic paintings often depict everyday scenes, landscapes, or portraits. Artists achieve this meticulous Realism by using photographs as their references, carefully reproducing every minute detail, including reflections, textures, and shadows. The goal of Photorealism is not merely to replicate a photograph, but to capture the essence and atmosphere of the subject, stimulating a sense of familiarity and immersion.

ALL MYTHS HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE, RIGHT?

You Won’t Believe These 10 Myths Originated In Real People

Image: Fine Photographics

While most myths are based on fiction, some are based on real-life individuals. Greek, Egyptian, and medieval figures that once were thought to be inventions have turned out to be real people thanks to archaeological findings. So, scroll down and learn more about 10 larger-than-life characters that actually existed.

Image: Juliet Furst

Paris, the handsome Trojan prince from The Iliad who abducted Helen, was in fact a real person. The city of Troy was located on the west coast of Anatolia (modern Turkey), and it might have been known as Wilusa, during the Bronze Age.

A surviving treaty from this period was signed between a man named Alaksandu (which sounds very similar to Prince Paris's second name, Alexander) probably from Wilusa/Troy, and Muwatalli II of the Hittites. Also, other historical documents hint that Alaksandu lived in and ruled Troy/Wilusa.

Image: Nathan Cima

Since we are talking about Troy, Paris wasn't the only Trojan who might've been real; his father, King Priam, might have been a legitimate Trojan ruler. In the Late Bronze Age, the Hittites ran into some trouble with an individual named Piyaramadu, who was a rebel who took over Troy/Wilusa.

Image: Babak Habibi

The phrase "rich as Croesus" is used to describe a semi-legendary monarch who was extremely wealthy. But Croesus was a real sixth-century BC ruler of Lydia (in Anatolia), who was both rich and martial, conquering many Greek towns that were located in what is now Turkey.

Image: Carlos Felipe Ramírez Mesa

The Roman general Cincinnatus was a military man who only reluctantly assumed power when the Romans faced a dangerous rival group called the Aequi. They called Cincinnatus to defend them who, at the time, was busy working on his tiny farm outside the city.

After defeating the enemy in just one day, Cincinnatus remained in power long enough to ensure Rome was safe. As soon as the crisis ended, he went home and started farming again. The humility and courageous character of this general inspired George Washington.

Image: Victoria Strukovskaya

According to an ancient legend, the Assyrian queen Semiramis was the daughter of a goddess. She invented the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and became a prominent ruler in her own right.

This might seem a bit far-fetched but "Semiramis" was the Greek name for a real ancient Assyrian queen, Sammu-ramat, who lived in the 9th BC. This queen was the wife of King Shamshi-Adad V and the mother of King Adad-Nirari III, but also maintained a lot of power in her own right.

Image: Julia Kadel

Imhotep was a real-life person, who served as the Egyptian pharaoh Djoser’s architect, healer, and minister. He served as the pharaoh’s right hand and even helped design his famous step pyramid. His popularity was such that, eventually, he was deified and worshiped as a real god.

Image: Giancarlo Corti

Maybe he was not the legendary king who ripped a sword out of a stone or had a powerful magician at his side, but Arthur was a genuine historical figure leading the Roman-British against the invading Anglo-Saxons during the late 5th and early 6th centuries.

His involvement at the Battle of Badon, in particular, is supportable but also exemplifies the problematic nature of the historical narrative, recording he slew 960 men in battle, quite an impossible number.

Image: Ani Adigyozalyan

The incredible story of "Beauty and the Beast" might have been based on a real person, Petrus Gonsalvus, a young boy from the 16th century. Petrus suffered a severe case of hypertrichosis, a condition that causes a person to grow hair all over their body, often referred to as "werewolf syndrome."

Gonsalvus was 10 years old when he was sent to the King of France to operate as a court jester. Eventually, King Henry's wife, Catherine de Medici, found Gonsalvus a wife. Though it took some getting used to, the beauty fell in love with the "beast." They remained married for 40 years and had seven kids together, four of which also had hypertrichosis.

Image: Christian Chomiak

According to Greek mythology, the Amazons were a race of legendary female warriors. This was disputed until modern archaeological discoveries gave new life to the claims. Believed to be descendants of Ares, the God of War, and Harmonia, the Goddess of Harmony, these women supposedly dedicated their lives to the perfection of martial prowess.

Recent archaeological findings have uncovered numerous burial sites of female Sarmatian warriors. With as many as twenty percent of all warrior tombs in the ancient territory containing women, this discovery has provided new impetus to believe in the Amazons as real historical individuals.

Image: Igam Ogam

One of the most supernatural characters in our list is based on a real-life individual. Count Dracula, the literary villain created by Bram Stoker was, at least partially, based on Vlad III, also known as Vlad Dracula, a Romanian prince who employed some gruesome tactics to defend his territory of Wallachia, a region south of Transylvania.

During his lifetime, Vlad was known for his enjoyment of torture and killing, reportedly impaling tens of thousands of enemies on stakes and then feasting among his victims.