The Art History 11

Book of Words

french edition

by Monique Araujo

Dome

A rounded vault forming the roof of a building or struc-ture, typically with a circular base.

Arch

A curved symmetri-cal structure span-ning an opening and typically sup-porting the weight of a bridge, roof, or wall above it.

Madonna

The Virgin Mary; A picture, statue, or medallion of the Madonna, typically depicted seated and holding the infant Jesus.

Cross

A representation of Christianity. Two pieces of wood fit-ted together in the middle what Jesus and others were crucified on.

Smoke

A visible suspen-sion of carbon or other particles in air. Typically emit-ted from a burning substance like a candle.

Candle

A cylinder or block of wax/tallow with a central wick that is lit to produce light as it burns. Used by churches to create a mystical lumination around the altar in the apse.

Sheep

A domesticated ruminant mam-mal with a thick woolly coat & curv-ing horns. A flock of sheep symbol-ized us, mankind, being herded by Jesus, The Good Shepard.

Halo

A disk or circle of light shown sur-rounding or above the head of a holy person or a saint to represent their holiness. Some-times shown in the sky around the sun or a moon.

The Serpent

A large snake, drag-on or snake-like reptile. A biblical name for Satan or a sly person fond of being trecherous.

Saint Peter

He was the son of John, and one of the 12 apostles of Jesus. He is known as ‘the rock’ of the Church and was therefore dubbed the First Pope.

Crown

A circular headress worn by a monarch as a symbol of authority, usually decorated with precious jewels. It was used as a sym-bol of mockery when the soldiers placed a ‘crown of thorns’ on Jesus’ head.

Stained Glass

Colored glass used to form decorative or pictoral designs, notably in church windows, both by painting and es-pecially by setting contrasting pieces in a lead framework like a mosaic.

Buttress

A projecting sup-port of stone or brick built against a wall. A source of defense or support.

Flying Buttress

A buttress slanting from a separate pier and not touching the ground. Typi-cally forming an arch with the wall it supports.

Minaret

A tall slender tower, typically part of a mosque, with a balcony from which a muez-zin calls Muslims to prayer.

Altar

A table in a Christian church at which the breaad and wine are consecrated in com-munion services. A table used as a focus for rtuals like sacrifices or offer-ings to dieties.

background images taken by Monique Araujo