Glossary
Maquette
A sculptural term referring to a small, preliminary model made in wax or clay prior to beginning work on the final piece. Also known as bozzetto.
Masonite
A type of hardboard support invented by William Mason formed out of wooden chips that have been steamed into long fibers and then put together and pressed and heated to form a board without the use of glue or any other material.
Matrix
The single original surface from which any process of printmaking is initiated. The matrix varies from process to process - blocks of wood for woodcut; linoleum for linocuts; metal plates (usually copper or zinc) for engraving or etching; stone for lithography; and fabric for screenprinting.
Matte
An optical property of a surface which makes it appear dull or not-glossy because of its inability to reflect light in a particular way.
Medieval Art
The various forms of art produced during the Middle Ages, from around 500 A.D. until the 14th century and the beginnings of the Renaissance.
Medium
The liquid in which pigment is suspended along with the binder. For example, with oil paints, linseed oil is usually the medium. Also refers to he substance used by an artist for giving expression to his art. For example, a sculptor may use stone or bronze as his medium of expression.
Metal Cut
A printmaking technique where a relief print is carved into metal, and the surface rather than the grooves are inked to create the print.
Mezzotint
A printmaking technique where the plate is textured with various tools, such that different areas will hold different amounts of ink and result in a print with rich tonal differentiation.
Miniature
A small scale art work or reproduction.
Minimalism
An artistic and architectural style of the mid 20th century, where a minimum of colour, line and decoration is used emphasising sparseness.
Mixed Media
A 20th century artistic style in which different types of physical materials are combined together. Also refers to an art work which represents a combination of various media into one production akin to modern day multimedia.
Mobile
A certain type of ceiling-mounted kinetic structure that depends on equilibrium for structure and wind or direct contact for movement. The inventor and most important artist associated with this type of sculpture is Alexander Calder.
Modelling
In three-dimensional art, referring to the shaping of form from some malleable or plastic material. In two-dimensional art, referring to the simulation of light and shadow on a flat surface to create the appearance of depth or three-dimensionality.
Monochromatic
Having only one colour, or one predominant colour with variations in hue and tonality.
Monogram
A symbol or motif formed out of two or more letters, most often the initials of a name.
Monograph
A comprehensive publication on a single subject or artist.
Monoprint
A printmaking technique where each impression that is printed is made unique by hand colouring the paper before the print is taken, or altering the paper during or after each print is taken. Thus only part of the final image is the result of a printmaking process.
Monotype
A printmaking process where only one impression is taken from a painted glass sheet or polished plate by pressing a sheet of paper against it while the paint is still wet. The term also refers to the images created by employing this process.
Montage
An art work composed of other existing images from any source that are arranged such that they create a new image, much like a collage.
Mosaic
An art form in which small, variously coloured pieces of tile or glass are put together against a support to create a design or image.
Motif
French for 'pattern'. A repeated image or theme in a work of art, used for decorative or narrative purposes and may or may not have iconographic significance.
Mould
The shaped, hollow container used in sculpture casting to give its form to the molten substances like bronze that are placed within it. Moulds can either be in one single piece ans used only once, or in several pieces that can be taken apart and put together again to cast another sculpture.
Mural
A large format wall decoration created using any single art form like painting or mosaic, or a combination of various art forms.
Mylar
A trade name for polyester sheets that are used by artists as supports or printmaking tools.