The Honest Art Dictionary

Book excerpt: From the popular @arthistorybabespodcast, “a tidy, helpful and informative guide to what can be a Tower of Babel of art jargon” (Republican American). In this art dictionary like no other, The Art History Babes (the hosts behind the prolific podcast) break down the elitist world of art with definitions of over three hundred essential art terms. Art speak is infamously alienating, strange, and confusing as hell. Think stereotypical, stylish art dealers who describe art as ‘derivative’ and ‘dynamic’—or stuffy auction houses filled with portraits of dead white people called ‘Old Masters’. What do these words mean? Where did they come from? And how can you actually use them? The Honest Art Dictionary spans art history, iconic movements, peculiar words, and pretentious phrases. After reading this book, you’ll be able to lay down that art jargon with the best of them. From avant-garde to oeuvre, the Harlem Renaissance to New Objectivity, museum fatigue to memento mori—the Babes use their whip-smart humor, on-point knowledge, and a heavy dose of candor to explain even the most complex ideas in bite-sized, relatable and often humorous definitions. With illustrations from Carmen Casado—The Honest Art Dictionary is a valuable starter pack for those new to the study of art history, those re-exploring the discipline, or those simply interested in impressing their friends during a trip to the local art museum.