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

Credit: 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!

Credit: 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.

Credit: 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.

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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.

Credit: 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.

Credit: 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.

Credit: 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.

Credit: 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.

Credit: 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.

Credit: 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.

Credit: 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.

Credit: 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.

Credit: 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.