Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Art & Architecture Glossary
Annunciation
the appearance of the Angel Gabriel to Mary to tell her that she will bear the Son of God
apse
a vaulted semicircular or polygonal recess, especially at the end of a choir in a church
1. the part of the entablature that holds columns in place; 2. a band of mouldings or other
ornamentation atop or around openings or panels
architrave
atrium
forecourt
badia
abbey
baldacchino
canopy, usually over a high altar in a basilica
an early or medieval Christian church with a ground plan similar to or derived from the
Roman basilica
basilica
bas-relief
sculpture in low relief
battistero
a church building in which baptism was/is administered
art and architecture of the Byzantine Empire; predated the Romanesque, Gothic and
Renaissance movements
Byzantine
campanile
bell tower
cappella
chapel
cartoon
a full-size preparatory drawing for a painting or fresco
cella
sanctuary of a temple
cenacolo
scene of the Last Supper (often in the refectory of a convent or monastery)
chiaroscuro
literally 'light-dark'; artistic distribution of light and dark areas in a painting
chiostro
cloister; a rectangular open space surrounded by a covered walkway
clerestory
upper part of the nave wall of a church featuring windows
coffer
ornamental sunken panel in a ceiling
