Visual Art Terms: M
Magic Lantern: An early type of image projector that used a light source to project images from glass slides onto a screen or wall. Magic lanterns were popular in the 18th and 19th centuries as a form of entertainment and education.
Magic Realism: A literary and artistic genre that incorporates magical or supernatural elements into a realistic setting. Magic realism often involves the use of symbolism, dreamlike imagery, and non-linear narratives.
Malleable: Referring to a material or substance that can be easily shaped or molded without breaking. In art, malleable materials like clay or wax can be used to create sculptures or other three-dimensional works.
Mandala: A geometric or symbolic design that is often used in spiritual or religious practices. Mandala designs typically feature a circular or square shape with repeating patterns and intricate details, and they are often used as a tool for meditation or contemplation.
Manifesto: A public declaration or statement of principles, beliefs, or intentions. In art, a manifesto is often used to outline a group's or individual's artistic goals and philosophy.
Mannered: Referring to a style of art that emphasizes artificial or exaggerated forms and mannerisms, often with a sense of affectation or pretentiousness. Mannered art can often be seen as a reaction against more naturalistic or realistic styles.
Mannerist: A style of art that emerged in the late Renaissance period, characterized by its use of exaggerated poses, complex compositions, and unusual color schemes. Mannerist art often features elongated figures and a heightened sense of drama or emotional intensity.
Mass Production: The process of producing large quantities of identical or similar products using standardized methods and machinery. In art, mass production techniques can be used to create multiple copies of a single work, such as prints or sculptures.
Maquette: A small-scale model or mock-up of a larger work, often used by artists and designers to test out ideas or experiment with different materials and techniques. Maquettes can be made from a variety of materials, such as clay, wood, or foam.
Material: Referring to the physical substance or matter used to create a work of art. Materials can range from traditional mediums such as paint or clay to more unconventional materials like found objects or industrial materials. The choice of material can have a significant impact on the meaning and interpretation of a work of art.
Medium: The material or technique used to create a work of art. Examples of mediums include paint, ink, charcoal, clay, and digital media.
Melodrama: A dramatic work or performance that emphasizes intense emotions, often featuring exaggerated or clichéd characters and situations. Melodramatic works can be found in various art forms, such as theater, film, and literature.
Metaphysical Art (Pittura Metafisica): A style of art that emerged in Italy in the early 20th century, characterized by its use of dreamlike imagery, unusual perspectives, and symbolic motifs. The movement was heavily influenced by the ideas of philosophy and metaphysics, and its leading figures included Giorgio de Chirico and Carlo Carrà.
Merz: A term coined by German artist Kurt Schwitters to describe his artistic practice, which involved creating collages and assemblages from found objects and everyday materials. The Merz movement was an important precursor to later art movements such as Dada and Surrealism.
Mezzotint: An intaglio printmaking technique in which a metal plate is roughened with a tool called a rocker, creating a surface that can hold ink. The artist then scrapes and burnishes the plate to create areas of light and shade, resulting in a rich, velvety texture.
Middle Ground: In art, the area of a composition that lies between the foreground and background, often featuring objects or figures that are smaller or less detailed than those in the foreground, but more prominent than those in the background. The middle ground can be used to create a sense of depth and perspective in a work of art.
Minimalism: a 20th century art movement that originated in the United States in the 1960s. Artists of this movement sought to strip art down to its most essential elements, often creating works that featured simple geometric shapes, monochromatic color schemes, and a sense of spatial clarity. Minimalist art often appears austere and impersonal, with an emphasis on the viewer's physical experience of the work. Prominent Minimalist artists: include Donald Judd, Dan Flavin, and Carl Andre.
Miniature: A small-scale work of art, often highly detailed and intricate. Miniatures can take many forms, such as paintings, sculptures, or models, and have been created throughout history for various purposes, such as religious devotion, decoration, or scientific study.
Mixed Media: Referring to a work of art that incorporates a variety of materials or mediums, such as paint, collage, found objects, or digital elements. Mixed media art can be highly experimental and can allow artists to explore new techniques and combinations of materials.
Mobile: A type of sculpture or hanging artwork that is designed to move or change shape in response to air currents or other external forces. Mobiles often feature suspended elements that are balanced in such a way as to allow for subtle movement and interaction with the surrounding space.
Model: A three-dimensional representation of an object or concept, often created in miniature or at a reduced scale. Models can be made from a variety of materials, such as clay, wood, or plastic, and can be used for a range of purposes, such as design, engineering, or artistic practice.
Modeling: The process of shaping or manipulating a material, such as clay or wax, to create a three-dimensional form. Modeling can involve various techniques, such as sculpting, carving, or molding, and can be used to create works of art ranging from small-scale objects to large-scale installations.
Modern Art: An umbrella term for works created and falling within art movements developed between the 1870s and 1960s, ranging from impressionism to pop art.
Modernism: A broad term used to describe a range of artistic movements and styles that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by a rejection of traditional values and a focus on experimentation, innovation, and individualism. Modernist art can be seen as a response to the rapid social, political, and technological changes of the modern era.
Modernist Photograph: emerged in the 1920s and 1930s as part of the broader modernist movement in art and literature. Modernist photographers sought to create images that were abstract, geometric, and highly stylized. They often experimented with unusual camera angles, cropping, and lighting to create a sense of dynamism and movement in their images.
Modern Realism: A style of art that emerged in the mid-20th century, characterized by its focus on representing the world in a realistic, naturalistic manner. Modern realist artists often sought to capture the everyday moments and experiences of contemporary life, often using techniques such as photography or social realism to convey a sense of authenticity and immediacy.
Monochrome: Referring to a work of art that is created using only one color or tone. Monochrome art can be highly effective in emphasizing the formal elements of a composition, such as line, shape, and texture, and can be used to create a wide range of moods and effects.
Monoprint: A printmaking technique in which a single impression is made from a plate or surface that has been inked or painted. Monoprints can be highly expressive and experimental, allowing artists to create unique, one-of-a-kind works of art.
Montage: A technique used in art and film in which images, sounds, or other elements are combined or juxtaposed in a way that creates a new, often surreal, meaning or effect. Montage can be used to create complex narratives, explore the relationships between different elements, or create a sense of disorientation or fragmentation.
Mood: The emotional atmosphere or feeling created by a work of art. Mood can be created through a variety of techniques, such as color, lighting, composition, or subject matter, and can range from serene and peaceful to dramatic and intense.
Mosaic: A decorative art form in which small, colored pieces of glass, stone, or other materials are arranged to create a pattern or image. Mosaics can be found in various forms of art, such as architecture, sculpture, or painting, and have been used throughout history to create intricate and durable works of art.
Motif: A recurring theme, design, or element in a work of art. Motifs can be found in various forms of art, such as painting, sculpture, or literature, and often have symbolic or narrative significance.
Multiple: A work of art that is produced in a series or edition, typically using a printing or casting process. Multiples allow artists to create a large number of identical or similar works, making their art more accessible and affordable to a wider audience.
Multi-Media: Referring to a work of art that incorporates a variety of mediums, such as paint, collage, sculpture, or digital elements. Multi-media art can be highly experimental and can allow artists to explore new techniques and combinations of materials.
Mural: A large-scale painting or artwork created directly on a wall or other permanent surface. Murals can be found in various forms of art, such as street art, public art, or traditional painting, and can be used to convey a wide range of messages and themes.
Muse: A source of inspiration for an artist, often a person or idea that has a profound impact on their creative process. Muses can be found in various forms of art, such as literature, music, or painting, and can be highly personal and subjective to the individual artist.