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.

GLITCHES OF THE MIND

Ever Experienced The Mandela Effect? 10 Crazy Collective Memory Fails

Image: Ashim D’Silva

Ever found yourself in a heated debate with a friend or family member over some remembered detail that you swear you are right about? You might have encountered the Mandela Effect.

The Mandela Effect describes collective false memories shared by a large group of people, named after the widespread belief that Nelson Mandela died in the 1980s when he actually passed away in 2013. These phenomena typically involve small details in pop culture, history, or everyday life that a significant number of people misremember in the same way.

Here are 10 intriguing instances of this phenomenon that challenge our perceptions of reality.

Image: Suad Kamardeen

The popular children’s book series has sparked debate over its correct spelling. Many recall it as "Berenstein" with an "e," yet all official records show it has always been "Berenstain" with an "a."

Some defenders of the "e" spelling were so adamant about being right that, against all evidence, they speculated that the change might be attributed to time travel or even the merging of parallel universes. However, the most likely culprits are errors in merchandising and the ambiguous pronunciation of the name in the cartoon series.

Image: Vince Fleming

The iconic line from Disney's "Snow White" is often remembered as "Mirror, mirror on the wall," but in fact, the actual line is "Magic mirror on the wall."

However, this discrepancy may not solely be due to the Mandela Effect but rather because the original Brothers Grimm tale—and most versions of it—use "Mirror, mirror" instead. This difference has sparked debates about how popular culture can influence and reshape collective memory over time.

Image: Maria Lin Kim

This one is quite understandable. According to a whole lot of people, the Monopoly board game's mascot, Rich Uncle Pennybags (bet you didn’t know his name either), used to sport a monocle. However, he has never actually had one.

Given his portrayal as a capitalist mogul, it's understandable why many assume he should have a monocle, and most people might not have paid close attention to his exact details in the game.

Image: Robin Canfield

Many remember the mischievous monkey from children’s books having a tail, but Curious George is actually tailless. Putting endless arguments aside about whether he was depicted at one point with a tail or not, the fact is that in the official drawings, he remains tail-less.

People naturally associate monkeys with tails, so it's understandable that the absence of one seems peculiar. And considering he's from Africa, George is likely being portrayed as a chimpanzee, a species known for its lack of tail.

Image: Yunus Yildiz

Some people recall the Ford logo lacking a curl at the end of the "F," but the miniature flourish has been part of the typography since at least 1911—making it highly unlikely they could have seen a curl-less version elsewhere.

Ford is not the first corporate symbol to be subject to misremembering, highlighting what many scientists have already pointed out: memory is often fuzzier than we would like to admit. We don’t recall images perfectly; instead, our memory reconstructs bits and pieces, making it prone to errors and misconceptions.

Image: David Vives

Many fans of the TV show remember it as "Sex in the City," but the correct title is "Sex and the City." This common error has also occurred with other shows featuring similarly confusing names, possibly also influenced by mispronunciation or misinterpretation.

However, in this case - understanding the show's premise - the city is not merely a location but might even be considered a protagonist in its own right.

Image: Tyler Donaghy

According to some accounts, an original portrait of King Henry VIII depicting him holding a turkey leg existed at some point in time. However, in reality, there is no historical evidence to support this depiction.

While King Henry VIII was indeed among the first English monarchs to enjoy turkey, which was imported from the New World, no historical portraits show him partaking in such a scene. The myth and widespread misremembering of him with a turkey leg likely stem from more recent depictions where the turkey leg was used as an artistic prop, adding to the confusion over time.

Image: Tommy van Kessel

The iconic line from "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back" is often misquoted as "Luke, I am your father." However, the actual line is "No, I am your father."

This misquote is one of the most famous examples of the Mandela Effect. Despite countless parodies and references in popular culture, the original line spoken by Darth Vader is frequently remembered incorrectly by fans of the franchise.

Image: Denise Jans

Amazingly, many people mistakenly remember New Zealand as being located to the northeast of Australia. As a glance at any real map would let you know, New Zealand is situated southeast of Australia.

This geographical confusion has baffled many, as maps clearly show New Zealand's correct position. The misconception may stem from the way maps are typically presented or even remembered from different perspectives.

Image: Brad Switzer

A common false memory is that the Fruit of the Loom logo features a cornucopia behind the fruits. But as far as hard evidence goes, the logo has never included a cornucopia.

If you still believe the logo must have changed at some point or have begun to question your memory, know that misremembering is a universal human phenomenon. Some scientists suggest that memory serves as a message to our future selves, but since this channel has limited capacity, the details of a memory retrieved later may not match those stored initially.