Art & Poster Glossary — 50+ Terms Every Art Lover Should Know
From Art Deco to ukiyo-e, giclée to gallery walls — here are the terms you need to know when exploring the world of art posters and home decoration.
A
A.M. Cassandre
Adolphe Mouron Cassandre (1901–1968), a Ukrainian-French graphic designer and one of the most influential poster artists of the Art Deco era. Famous works include Normandie (1935), Étoile du Nord (1927), and Dubonnet (1932).
Abstract Art
Art that does not attempt to represent reality, instead using shapes, colors, forms, and gestural marks to achieve its effect. Abstract poster art is versatile in interior design, fitting both modern and eclectic spaces.
Alphonse Mucha
Czech Art Nouveau artist (1860–1939) known for his ornate theatrical and advertising posters featuring idealized female figures surrounded by flowers and geometric borders.
Archival Pigment Ink
Ink formulated for longevity, rated for 100+ years of color stability without fading. Used in giclée printing to ensure museum-quality reproduction durability.
Art Deco
A decorative art style originating in 1920s Paris, characterized by geometric shapes, bold colors, and lavish ornamentation. Popularized through architecture, fashion, and poster design at the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs.
Art Nouveau
A decorative art style (1890–1910) characterized by flowing organic lines, floral motifs, and curvilinear forms inspired by nature. Precursor to Art Deco.
Aspect Ratio
The proportional relationship between width and height. Standard poster aspect ratios include 2:3 (A-series), 3:4, and 1:1 (square). The aspect ratio determines how a poster fits within a frame and on a wall.
B
Bauhaus
A German art school (1919–1933) founded by Walter Gropius that unified crafts and fine arts. Bauhaus design emphasizes function, geometric forms, and primary colors. Key figures include Kandinsky, Klee, and Moholy-Nagy.
Boho
Short for bohemian. An interior design style characterized by earthy tones, natural textures, layered patterns, and an eclectic mix of cultural influences. Boho poster art often features abstract plants, macramé motifs, and warm palettes.
Botanical Illustration
The precise, scientific depiction of plants and flowers, originally created for herbaria and botanical gardens from the 17th century onward. Modern botanical prints are popular in interior design for their elegant detail.
C
Color Palette
The specific set of colors used in a design or interior space. Choosing complementary poster and room color palettes is key to cohesive wall decoration.
Cubism
A revolutionary art movement pioneered by Picasso and Braque (c. 1907–1920) that fragmented objects into geometric forms viewed from multiple perspectives simultaneously.
D
Digital Art
Art created or modified using digital technology — tablets, software (Photoshop, Procreate, Illustrator), or AI-assisted tools. Digital art has become one of the fastest-growing categories in poster design.
DPI (Dots Per Inch)
A measure of printing resolution. Professional giclée prints require 300+ DPI for sharp detail at viewing distance. Higher DPI means finer detail and smoother gradients.
E
Embroidery
A textile decoration technique where thread is stitched into fabric to create patterns or designs. Paris Poster's clothing line features machine-embroidered sport and art motifs on premium cotton.
Expressionism
An early 20th-century movement prioritizing emotional experience over physical reality. Characterized by distorted forms, bold colors, and intense brushwork. Key artists: Munch, Kirchner, Kandinsky.
F
FSC Certification
Forest Stewardship Council certification ensures paper comes from responsibly managed forests. Paris Poster uses exclusively FSC-certified 250gsm paper for all prints.
Futurism
An Italian art movement (1909–1944) celebrating speed, technology, and modernity through dynamic compositions and fragmented forms.
G
Gallery Wall
An arrangement of multiple framed artworks or posters displayed together on a single wall. Gallery walls typically use 5–8cm spacing between frames and mix different sizes for visual interest.
Giclée
A fine art printing technique using high-quality inkjet printers with archival pigment inks. Giclée prints offer superior color accuracy and longevity (100+ years) compared to standard printing methods. Paris Poster uses giclée printing for all its reproductions.
Gouache
An opaque watercolor paint that produces a flat, matte finish. Many vintage poster originals were painted in gouache before being reproduced via lithography.
H
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
French artist (1864–1901) who revolutionized poster art with his vivid depictions of Parisian nightlife — Moulin Rouge, cabarets, and cafés. Considered the father of the modern advertising poster.
Hiroshige
Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858), a Japanese ukiyo-e artist celebrated for his landscape prints, particularly 'The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō.' His use of atmosphere and perspective influenced Impressionism.
Hokusai
Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849), a Japanese ukiyo-e master best known for 'The Great Wave off Kanagawa' and the 'Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji' series. One of the most reproduced artists in poster art.
I
Impressionism
A 19th-century French art movement emphasizing the capture of light and movement through visible brushstrokes and vibrant colors. Key artists: Monet, Renoir, Degas, Pissarro.
J
Japonisme
The influence of Japanese art and design on Western art, particularly during the late 19th century. Japonisme inspired Impressionists (Monet, Van Gogh) and remains visible in modern poster design.
L
Limited Edition Print
An art print produced in a fixed, numbered quantity. Each print is numbered (e.g., 12/50) and often signed by the artist, giving it collectible value.
Lithography
A printing technique invented in 1796, where an image is drawn on a flat stone or metal plate with a greasy medium. Lithography enabled mass production of posters and was the dominant technique for vintage advertising art.
M
Matisse Cut-Outs
Henri Matisse's late-career technique (1940s–1950s) of 'painting with scissors' — cutting shapes from painted paper to create bold, colorful compositions. His cut-outs are among the most popular subjects for art poster reproductions.
Mid-Century Modern
A design movement from roughly 1945–1969 emphasizing clean lines, organic curves, minimal ornamentation, and a focus on functionality. Influenced by Bauhaus and Scandinavian design.
Minimalism
An art and design philosophy emphasizing simplicity — using the fewest possible elements to create maximum impact. In poster design, minimalism means clean lines, ample white space, and restrained color palettes.
Mixed Media
Artwork combining multiple artistic techniques or materials — such as photography with illustration, or digital art with hand-drawn elements.
Mounting
The process of affixing a print to a rigid backing (foam board, MDF, or aluminum) for display without a traditional frame. Mounting prevents curling and gives a clean, modern look.
N
Negative Space
The empty area around and between the subjects of an image. Effective use of negative space gives posters a clean, modern feel and draws attention to the main subject.
P
Pantone
A standardized color matching system used in printing and design. Pantone codes ensure colors are reproduced consistently across different printing methods and materials.
Passe-Partout
A mat board placed between a print and its frame, adding visual depth and protecting the artwork from touching the glass. Acid-free passe-partout prevents yellowing over time.
PLM Railway Posters
Advertising posters commissioned by the Paris-Lyon-Méditerranée railway company in the early 20th century to promote French Riviera destinations. Among the most collectible vintage travel posters.
Pop Art
An art movement emerging in the 1950s-60s that incorporated imagery from popular culture — advertising, comics, and consumer products. Key artists: Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Keith Haring.
Propaganda Poster
Posters produced by governments or political organizations to influence public opinion, particularly during wartime. Examples include WWI/WWII recruitment and morale posters.
R
Risograph
A stencil-based printing method producing a distinctive textured, slightly imperfect aesthetic. Popular in contemporary independent poster art for its vintage-digital hybrid look.
S
Screen Printing
A printing technique where ink is pushed through a mesh stencil onto a surface. Also called serigraphy. Widely used for poster art, particularly in the Pop Art movement.
Surrealism
An art movement (1920s onward) exploring the unconscious mind through dreamlike imagery and unexpected juxtapositions. Key artists: Dalí, Magritte, Ernst.
T
Tennis Poster
Posters celebrating tennis culture — from vintage Roland-Garros and Wimbledon designs to modern graphic art featuring the sport. Paris Poster offers 139+ tennis poster designs.
Triptych
A work of art divided into three panels, displayed side by side. In poster design, triptych sets create a panoramic effect, ideal for wide walls in living rooms or offices.
Typography Poster
A poster design centered on the creative arrangement of text and letterforms. Typography posters may feature quotes, words, or abstract letter compositions as their primary visual element.
U
Ukiyo-e
A Japanese art genre meaning 'pictures of the floating world,' dating from the 17th to 19th centuries. Ukiyo-e woodblock prints depict landscapes, kabuki actors, and daily life. Masters include Hokusai, Hiroshige, and Utamaro.
UV-Protective Glass
Glass treated to filter ultraviolet light, preventing color fading and paper degradation in framed prints exposed to sunlight. Recommended for posters displayed near windows.
V
Vintage Poster
Generally refers to posters produced before 1970, or modern reproductions of classic designs from that era. Vintage posters span advertising, travel, entertainment, and propaganda genres.
Vintage Travel Poster
Advertising posters produced from the 1890s to 1960s by railway companies, airlines, and tourism boards to promote destinations. Typically feature bold Art Deco or modernist designs with idealized landscapes.
W
Wabi-Sabi
A Japanese aesthetic philosophy that finds beauty in imperfection, transience, and simplicity. In interior design, wabi-sabi influences the choice of organic textures, muted tones, and handmade-feeling art.