modeling: Technique used to produce the illusion of three dimensions in
painting by changing colors, adding shadows, and so on.
naturalism: A stylistic approach, found in many eras, that emphasized
capturing the precisely detailed image of an object. Not the same
as realism.
nave: Central aisle of a church, extending from the entrance to the chancel.
Neoclassicism: Artistic style of the late 18th and early 19th century inspired
by the Enlightenment and the art of Classical antiquity.
Neo-Plasticism: An alternative term for de Stijl, with an emphasis on using
rectangular forms and primary colors.
Neo-Platonism: A system that attempted to reconcile the ancient philosophy
of Plato and Plotinus with the teachings of Christianity. Developed in
Alexandria and other Greek centers in the 3rd century A.D. and revived in the
Italian Renaissance.
oil: Describes the medium in which pigments are suspended in a drying
medium, such as linseed or walnut oil. Because the medium does not dry
rapidly (as tempera does), it can be applied freely over a wide area, and
because the colors are translucent rather than opaque, they create effects
of depth and luminosity. When dry, oils are solid ¿ lms. The Renaissance
development of the oil medium can be traced to the Netherlands in
the early 15th century, and it became the dominant medium from the
16 th century onward.
Passion: The sufferings of Christ from the Last Supper through the
Cruci¿ xion; in art, may be used to include post-Cruci¿ xion events.
perspective: See linear perspective and aerial perspective.
Pietà (Italian: Pity): The name given to a representation of the dead Christ
supported by the Virgin Mary.