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Definition of 'representational'

  • representational

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representational in American English

Representational in british english, examples of 'representational' in a sentence representational, trends of representational.

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Synonyms of representational

  • as in symbolical
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Thesaurus Definition of representational

Synonyms & Similar Words

  • representative
  • emblematical
  • metaphorical
  • tropological
  • allegorical

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

  • nonsymbolic

Thesaurus Entries Near representational

representation

representational

representationalism

Cite this Entry

“Representational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/representational. Accessed 24 Feb. 2024.

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[Latin repraesentare ‘to make present or manifest’]

1. Depicting or ‘making present’ something which is absent (e.g. people, places, events, or abstractions) in a different form: as in paintings, photographs, films, or language, rather than as a replica . See also description; compare absent presence.

2. The function of a sign or symbol of ‘standing for’ that to which it refers (its referent).

3. The various processes of production involved in generating representational texts in any medium, including the mass media (e.g. the filming, editing, and broadcasting of a television documentary). Such framings of the concept privilege authorial intention. See also auteur theory; authorial determinism; sender-oriented communication.

4. A text (in any medium) which is the product of such processes, usually regarded as amenable to textual analysis (‘a representation’).

5. What is explicitly or literally described, depicted, or denoted in a sign, text, or discourse in any medium as distinct from its symbolic meaning, metaphoric meaning, or connotations: its manifest referential content, as in ‘a representation of…’ See also mimesis; naturalism; referentiality.

6. How (in what ways) something is depicted. However ‘realistic’ texts may seem to be, they involve some form of transformation. Representations are unavoidably selective (none can ever ‘show the whole picture’), and within a limited frame, some things are foregrounded and others backgrounded: see also framing; generic representation; selective representation; stylization. In factual genres in the mass media, critics understandably focus on issues such as truth, accuracy, bias, and distortion ( see also reflectionism), or on whose realities are being represented and whose are being denied. See also dominant ideology; manipulative model; stereotyping; symbolic erasure.

7. The relation of a sign or text in any medium to its referent. In reflectionist framings, the transparent re- presentation, reflection, recording, transcription, or reproduction of a pre-existing reality ( see also imaginary signifier; mimesis; realism). In constructionist framings, the transformation of particular social realities, subjectivities, or identities in processes which are ostensibly merely re- presentations ( see also constitutive models; interpellation; reality construction). Some postmodern theorists avoid the term representation completely because the epistemological assumptions of realism seem to be embedded within it.

8. A cycle of processes of textual and meaning production and reception situated in a particular sociohistorical context ( see also circuit of communication; circuit of culture). This includes the active processes in which audiences engage in the interpretation of texts ( see also active audience theory; beholder's share; picture perception). Semiotics highlights representational codes which need to be decoded ( see also encoding/decoding model; photographic codes; pictorial codes; realism), and related to a relevant context ( see also Jakobson's model).

9. (narratology) Showing as distinct from telling (narration).

10. (mental representation) The process and product of encoding perceptual experience in the mind: see dual coding theory; gestalt laws; mental representation; perceptual codes; selective perception; selective retention.

11. A relationship in which one person (a representative) acting on behalf of another (as in law), or a political principle in which one person acts, in some sense, on behalf of a group of people, normally having been chosen by them to do so (as in representative democracies).

From:   representation   in  A Dictionary of Media and Communication »

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Definition of representation noun from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

representation

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definition for representational

  Vocabulary      

What does representational mean?

Definitions for representational ˌrɛp rɪ zɛnˈteɪ ʃə nl, -zən- rep·re·sen·ta·tion·al, this dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word representational ., princeton's wordnet rate this definition: 0.0 / 0 votes.

representational adjective

(used especially of art) depicting objects, figures,or scenes as seen

"representational art"; "representational images"

Wiktionary Rate this definition: 0.0 / 0 votes

Of or pertaining to representation or to representationalism

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representational

Representational generally refers to a type or style of art, literature, or other creative work which depicts or aims to depict the physical or natural world accurately or realistically. It can also refer to a style of thinking or a theory in psychology that explains one's ability to form mental images or representations of things, people, or situations that are not currently present or perceived. In politics, it can refer to a system in which citizens elect individuals to act on their behalf. Thus, it may involve producing a likeness, portrayal, or reflection of something, often for the purpose of communication or symbolism.

How to pronounce representational?

Alex US English David US English Mark US English Daniel British Libby British Mia British Karen Australian Hayley Australian Natasha Australian Veena Indian Priya Indian Neerja Indian Zira US English Oliver British Wendy British Fred US English Tessa South African

How to say representational in sign language?

Chaldean Numerology

The numerical value of representational in Chaldean Numerology is: 7

Pythagorean Numerology

The numerical value of representational in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of representational in a Sentence

Ghida Dagher :

Yet even as we celebrate these gains, we know we still have a long way to go to achieve representational parity, if we want to create a truly inclusive and representative democracy, then we must invest in these communities to increase New American civic engagement and take a hard look at how our electoral and political systems still favor the white and wealthy.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

  • ^  Princeton's WordNet http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=representational
  • ^  Wiktionary https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Representational
  • ^  ChatGPT https://chat.openai.com

Translations for representational

From our multilingual translation dictionary.

  • تمثيلية Arabic
  • repräsentativ German
  • reprezenta Esperanto

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  • representational

adjective as in graphic

Weak matches

  • blocked-out
  • descriptive
  • diagrammatic
  • iconographic
  • illustrated
  • illustrational
  • illustrative
  • photographic

adjective as in lifelike

Strongest match

  • representative
  • true to life

adjective as in pictographic

  • hieroglyphic

adjective as in pictorial

Strongest matches

  • pictographic
  • picturesque

adjective as in realistic

adjective as in schematic

Strong match

  • delineative

Discover More

Related words.

Words related to representational are not direct synonyms, but are associated with the word representational . Browse related words to learn more about word associations.

adjective as in pictorial, visible

adjective as in genuine

Viewing 5 / 6 related words

Example Sentences

Of the two teams that produced representational paintings, only one explicitly depicts the newlyweds.

Despite representational gestures, there’s not structural change or a redistribution of money.

Imbalances like this threaten core values of representational democracy like fairness, inclusion and equality.

The cyanotypes and photograms are the closest things to representational works in the show, and they’re deliberately cryptic and detached.

The selection includes abstract works, but most of those seem less urgent than the representational ones.

This is jaw-droppingly strange since perfumes, like paintings and sculpture, are often hyper-representational.

The idea of placing atop this perfect thing a big granite planith surmounted by a representational bronze ... ugh.

The very fact of depicting at one-to-one carries special representational weight.

In fact, when used correctly (i.e., by the Democrats), the filibuster can help right this representational wrong.

Voit documents a perceptual anomaly and allows it to trick us—or not—without any representational manipulation.

To justify our presence there the only thing demanded of us is that we shall have felt the representational impulse.

Strictly representational it may not be, but there are none of your whorls and cylinders and angles and what nots.

On the functional theory of ideas, their value does not rest at all upon their representational nature.

His books are neither documentary nor representational; his characters are symbols of human desires and motives.

He wondered what on earth "anti-representational" could mean.

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On this page you'll find 115 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to representational, such as: blocked-out, delineated, depicted, descriptive, diagrammatic, and drawn.

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.

Tate Logo

Representational

Blanket term for art that represents some aspect of reality, in a more or less straightforward way

Algernon Newton The Surrey Canal, Camberwell (1935) Tate

Sir Stanley Spencer Turkeys (1925) Tate

© Estate of Stanley Spencer

John Wonnacott The Norwich School of Art (1982–4) Tate

© John Wonnacott

The term seems to have come into use after the rise of modern art and particularly abstract art as a means of referring to art not substantially touched by modern developments. Not quite the same as figurative art which seems to apply to modern art in which the elements of reality, while recognisable, are nevertheless treated in modern ways, as in expressionism for example. The term figurative also implies a particular focus on the human figure.

The term non-representational is frequently used as a synonym for abstract.

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Representational Art – The Development of Representational Artworks

Avatar for Isabella Meyer

Representational art, which is sometimes known as Figurative art, refers to paintings, sculptures, and other art forms that have clearly been copied from real objects. Portraying something that physically exists in reality, such as a landscape, a still life, or a portrait, Representational artworks are instantly recognizable once they are created. As it is one of the most identifiable genres of art, Representational art has proved popular with the masses.

Table of Contents

  • 1 A History of Representational Art
  • 2 What Is Representational Art?
  • 3.1 Non-Representational Art Examples
  • 4.1 Representational Abstract Art
  • 5.1 Paul Cézanne: Four Apples (1881)
  • 5.2 Joaquín Sorolla: Valencian Fishermen (1895)
  • 5.3 Sir Stanley Spencer: Turkeys (1925)
  • 5.4 Algernon Newton: The Surrey Canal, Camberwell (1935)
  • 6.1 A Guideline of Artistic Merit
  • 6.2 A Basis for All Visual Art
  • 6.3 Makes Art More Accessible to the Public

A History of Representational Art

Existing as art that represents something, Representational art is typically made up of subject matters that are easily recognized by viewers. Some of the earliest examples of Representational art were cave paintings, which date back about 40,000 years ago, and the Paleolithic figurine known as The Venus of Willendorf said to be created about 25,000 years ago.

Thus, this form of art is said to be one of the oldest in existence, as a variety of examples can be traced from different genres that existed at separate times.

Most ancient art, which dates back to the Stone Age between 2,000,000 and 10,000 B.C.E., was said to be representational. The sculptures and paintings produced in this era were often modeled off of real people, idealized gods, or scenes from nature until the direction of representation turned to focus mainly on religious subjects during the Middle Ages in Europe.

Famous Representational Artworks

Some of the most beautiful Representational art examples were created during the Renaissance by important artists such as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, who produced exceptionally realistic paintings and sculptures. At this time of art history, artists were typically commissioned to paint portraits of royalty, meaning that the majority of the artworks in existence displayed depictions of real people.

Throughout history, the majority of the paintings, drawings, and sculptures that have been made are said to be forms of Representational art, as this genre represents one of the largest collections of artworks to ever be created.

Despite going through many phases throughout art history, Representational art has retained the principle of presenting the viewer with distinct and obvious subject matter . This essentially demonstrates that it is one of the most reliable art forms to exist.

What Is Representational Art?

An appropriate Representational art definition would be artworks, in particular paintings and sculptures, that have been created by accurately copying real object sources. In doing so, the artworks that are produced represent something with strong visual references to reality, as they represent something very specific. Even when artworks were symbolic or non-figurative in nature, they were still usually representing something, which made them a form of Representational art.

Representational artworks are normally made up of landscapes, seascapes, portraits, figures, and still lifes, as these works are all comprised of images that represent an identifiable and genuine object. In addition to these categories, other forms of Representational art include depicting everyday scenes, historical and mythological paintings. In terms of Representational statues, the most common type of statue to emerge from the early art periods were equestrian statues.

Representational Art Statue

While Representational art depicts objects as realistically as possible, not all Representational drawing examples are true to life.

For example, a tree can be represented through standard characteristics that we know are used to identify an object as a tree but can be placed within abstract contexts that a tree would never usually be found in. Despite the environment of paintings not always being lifelike, as long as the objects are represented recognizably, the art is automatically considered to form part of Representational art.

Traditional Representational art made use of atmospheric perspective and color in order to create the illusion of three-dimensional reality on paper or canvas. The knowledge and ability to create such realistic depictions slowly grew through the centuries as different artists arrived on the scene and helped further the Representational art definition, with this art genre never fading from popularity.

What Is Representational Art

What makes Representational art so interesting is that an iconic artwork, such as da Vinci’s Mona Lisa (1503), and a simple crayon drawing of it done by an amateur would be seen as equally representational. The preference for one of these versions of the painting over the other depends on one’s aesthetic taste and not on how well the figure has been depicted.

Thus, Representational art was not a genre specifically reserved for professional artists only, as any painting or drawing that depicts a real object is considered to be a part of the style.

What Is Non-Representational Art?

By contrast, non-Representational art is incredibly different from Representational art. While most art is based on imagery and elements taken from the real world, the more extreme forms of art demonstrate an increasingly strained relationship to the visible world and are thus labeled as non-Representational art. In addition, this type of art is frequently used as a synonym to describe abstract art.

The line that separates Representational art from non-Representational art is extremely thin, as some overlapping between these two art forms still occurs. As art tends to be subjective, audiences and critics may disagree on how to classify certain artworks because of their own personal opinions.

Therefore, an appropriate non-Representational art definition describes artworks that display complete abstraction and place more emphasis on the lines, colors, and shapes seen as opposed to any objects.

non representational art

With non-Representational art pieces leaning more towards abstraction, the type of artwork made makes no reference to anything remotely recognizable from the real world. The aim of these artists is to create something that is thought of as more intellectual by definition, as not making reference to any distinguishable objects requires viewers to seriously consider the work in order to form an interpretation.

Essentially, the best way to fully understand the non-Representational art definition is to consider and appreciate the differences that exist between this form of art and traditional Representational art. If you are able to see and understand themes from the viewpoint of the artist, accepting the artwork for what it then becomes a lot easier.

Non-Representational Art Examples

As non-Representational art makes use of abstraction within the artworks produced, a variety of different illustrations exist. However, the most common non-Representational art examples include artworks that do not depict any objects from the real world, such as figures and landscapes. Instead, mere shapes, colors, and lines are used to depict the ideas of the artists, as these elements are said to express elements that are not always visible, such as emotions and feelings.

Representational Abstract Art

20 th Century Representational Art

Towards the end of the 19th century, Representational painting in Europe was dominated by the movement of Impressionism , which began around 1860. While realistic depictions of people, places, and objects were still being made, they were being painted according to the stylistic techniques of Impressionism, which was incredibly free-flowing and loose.

This led to an increase in Representational drawing, as Impressionists expressed an interest in other mediums of art in addition to painting.

This era led to the emergence of some incredibly notable artists, who created some very well-known Representational artworks. Some of these Representational artists included Edgar Degas, John Singer Sargent, Wassily Kandinsky , and even Vincent van Gogh. While all of these artists had a distinctly different style, they all produced artworks that were based on easily recognizable forms and objects, which labeled them Representational artists in addition to the art movement that they were practicing in.

Representational Artworks

At the turn of the 20 th century, the different art movements that were developing began to reject the largely representational approach. A movement that abandoned the academic traditions of Representational art and embraced a more subjective approach was German Expressionism, as the political events of the early 20 th century led to a massive increase in abstract art . As a result of this, non-Representational art was not said to evolve until the beginning of the 20 th century, where form was finally given more dominance over substance.

Representational Abstract Art

In addition to the rise of the German Expressionist movement, the appeal of abstraction grew. True-to-life paintings were facing immense pressure from other artists who were unhappy with these antiquated images as they left very little room for intellectual possibilities. As a result of this, artists turned to Representational Abstract Art as a way to reinterpret and modernize subject matter.

A notable artist whose journey from Representational art into Representational Abstract Art can clearly be seen in his artworks is Pablo Picasso.

Within his Blue and Rose periods, Picasso displayed great concentration on realistic and naturalistic painting, with this interest slowly developing towards abstraction as he entered his revolutionary Cubism period. The artworks created from Picasso’s Cubism period make up some of the most famous examples of non-Representational painting ever seen.

Non-Representational Art Examples

Well-Known Representational Artworks and Their Artists

As many artworks that have been produced throughout the decades portray real-life objects and figures, many of them can be seen as wonderful examples of Representational art. As too many exist to possibly be included on one list, we will be looking at four outstanding Representational artworks that each depict a specific subject matter such as human figures, a still life, animals, and a landscape scene.

Paul Cézanne: Four Apples (1881)

This oil on canvas painted by Paul Cézanne exists as an important still-life artwork, as it demonstrates his rejection of thick brushstrokes and intense contrasts of light and shadow. Cézanne did this in order to fully focus on the colors of the objects that he was painting, which helped him create incredibly naturalistic artworks .

Famous Representational Art

Within Four Apples , no one can mistake the four circles in the middle of the canvas to be anything other than what Cézanne said they were, which was apples. While this is certainly one of his simpler paintings, the intricacy of Four Apples lies in the depiction of its subject matter. Cézanne was able to effortlessly depict the fruit exactly as he saw it, leaving no room for viewers to confuse his work for anything else.

Joaquín Sorolla: Valencian   Fishermen (1895)

Painted during the Impressionist movement , Valencian Fishermen exists as a simple work. In giving the artwork such a straightforward title, Joaquín Sorolla portrayed exactly what his artwork is labeled as, as two men standing at the water’s edge and working with fishing equipment can be seen. Thought to be an incredibly relaxed artwork, Sorolla merely depicted fishermen, assumed to be from Valencia, going about their work in the middle of the day.

Representational Artists

Sir Stanley Spencer: Turkeys (1925)

Created using a Neo-Romanticism style, Turkeys demonstrated the ability of artists to accurately capture depictions of animals in an incredibly realistic and thus representational style. Within this artwork, Sir Stanley Spencer clearly portrayed turkeys in the back of someone’s garden, with these animals becoming the only focal point in the painting. Based on the single word he titled the artwork, the subject matter of Spencer’s work could not be mistaken by viewers, especially after seeing the simplicity of the artwork.

Algernon Newton: The Surrey Canal, Camberwell (1935)

The final example that we have included is Algernon Newton’s The Surrey Canal, Camberwell , in which a representation of the Surrey Canal is seen. Although not explicitly a landscape artwork, as Newton included buildings that overlooked the canal, the great detail and realism with which they have been painted allow this work to be seen as a great example of Representational art. The clarity with which Newton painted The Surrey Canal, Camberwell adds to the quality of this artwork, as viewers feel as if they are looking at a photograph of the canal as opposed to a painting of it.

As Newton depicted something specific that existed in reality, he created an accurate visual reference of the canal, which allowed viewers to understand and appreciate the work immediately.

The Importance of Representational Art

Representational art made up an important period of art history, as its notable style has been represented by some of the earliest sculptures and artworks that have been documented and found. As Representational art is so widely accepted by audiences and critics alike, it still exists as a popular art form today, despite countless developments in different genres taking place.

Representational Art Example

A Guideline of Artistic Merit

Representational art is considered an essential genre of art, as it provided a standard by which the artistic quality of artworks could be judged. Portraits, still life’s, and landscape paintings were judged based on their accuracy and similarity to the person and scene that was being depicted, which allowed exceptional work to be differentiated from mediocre work. However, non-Representational art differed greatly, as by not representing anything real, these abstract artworks were not able to be assessed according to objective criteria.

Due to this, the reputation of non-Representational artists varied greatly from that of Representational artists, especially at the start of the 20th century when abstraction flourished.

A Basis for All Visual Art

Representational art acted as an important starting point for all visual art, as it evaluated artists based on their drawing skills, compositional skills, perspective, use of color, and portrayal of light. While these are not the only features used to judge artists and their artworks today, these characteristics of Representational art provided a crucial foundation for the growth of visual art.

Additionally, having a solid base provided by Representational art helped introduce some of the most iconic artists in all of art history. Through creating a benchmark with which to assess artworks, this went on to educate artists from all movements to improve upon certain skills, which led to the creation of some incredibly notable works that are still spoken about today.

Makes Art More Accessible to the Public

As Representational artworks are generally very easy to recognize, the continuation of this genre helped make art more accessible to the general public as time went on. Certain artworks only received true appreciation and fame years after they were produced, which demonstrated the applicability of Representational art as these artworks were still able to be understood after a significant amount of time had passed.

With the rapid rate that technology has progressed, individuals are demonstrating a greater level of comfort with Representational art. This is because these artworks can easily be recreated using various digital tools and computer programs, which demonstrates the relevance that some Representational art pieces still have if they can be captured and altered in a completely new medium.

Despite decades passing since the first examples of Representational art emerged, this art genre has managed to remain incredibly relevant still. As all art, no matter the movement, can be seen as representational if depicting something that truly exists in reality, it becomes increasingly easy to answer the question: what is Representational art? In a nutshell, this art form simply captures elements of reality and represents them in a naturalistic way, so that viewers are able to easily recognize the subject matter artists are attempting to portray.

isabella meyer

Isabella studied at the University of Cape Town in South Africa and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in English Literature & Language and Psychology. Throughout her undergraduate years, she took Art History as an additional subject and absolutely loved it. Building on from her art history knowledge that began in high school, art has always been a particular area of fascination for her. From learning about artworks previously unknown to her, or sharpening her existing understanding of specific works, the ability to continue learning within this interesting sphere excites her greatly.

Her focal points of interest in art history encompass profiling specific artists and art movements, as it is these areas where she is able to really dig deep into the rich narrative of the art world. Additionally, she particularly enjoys exploring the different artistic styles of the 20 th century, as well as the important impact that female artists have had on the development of art history.

Learn more about Isabella Meyer and the Art in Context Team .

Cite this Article

Isabella, Meyer, “Representational Art – The Development of Representational Artworks.” Art in Context. July 5, 2021. URL: https://artincontext.org/representational-art/

Meyer, I. (2021, 5 July). Representational Art – The Development of Representational Artworks. Art in Context. https://artincontext.org/representational-art/

Meyer, Isabella. “Representational Art – The Development of Representational Artworks.” Art in Context , July 5, 2021. https://artincontext.org/representational-art/ .

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Meaning of representation – Learner’s Dictionary

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representation noun ( SPEAKING FOR )

Representation noun ( showing ).

(Definition of representation from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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a game played by two or more children in which one child chases the others and tries to touch one of them. This child then becomes the one who does the chasing.

Infinitive or -ing verb? Avoiding common mistakes with verb patterns (1)

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definition for representational

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1.5: Representational, Abstract, and Nonrepresentational Art

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Painting, sculpture, and other artforms can be divided into the categories of representational (sometimes also called figurative art although it doesn’t always contain figures), abstract and nonrepresentational art. Representational art describes artworks—particularly paintings and sculptures–that are clearly derived from real object sources, and therefore are by definition representing something with strong visual references to the real world. Most, but not all, abstract art is based on imagery from the real world. The most “extreme” form of abstract art is not connected to the visible world and is known as nonrepresentational.

  • Representational art or figurative art represents objects or events in the real world, usually looking easily recognizable. For example, a painting of a cat looks very much like a cat– it’s quite obvious what the artist is depicting.
  • Romanticism, Impressionism, and Expressionism contributed to the emergence of abstract art in the nineteenth century as artists became less interested in depicting things exactly like they really exist. Abstract art exists on a continuum, from somewhat realistic representational work, to work that is not based on anything visible from the real world. Even representational work is abstracted to some degree; entirely realistic art is elusive.
  • Work that does not depict anything from the real world (figures, landscapes, animals, etc.) is called nonrepresentational . Nonrepresentational art may simply depict shapes, colors, lines, etc., but may also express things that are not visible– emotions or feelings for example.

Johann Anton Eismann, Meerhaven. 17th c.

This figurative or representational work from the seventeenth century depicts easily recognizable objects–ships, people, and buildings. But artistic independence was advanced during the nineteenth century, resulting in the emergence of abstract art. Three movements that contributed heavily to the development of these were Romanticism, Impressionism, and Expressionism.

Abstraction indicates a departure from reality in depiction of imagery in art. Abstraction exists along a continuum; abstract art can formally refer to compositions that are derived (or abstracted) from a figurative or other natural source. It can also refer to nonrepresentational (non-objective) art that has no derivation from figures or objects. Picasso is a well-known artist who used abstraction in many of his paintings and sculptures: figures are often simplified, distorted, exaggerated, or geometric.

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Pablo Picasso, Girl Before a Mirror , 1932, MOMA Photo by Sharon Mollerus CC BY

Even art that aims for verisimilitude (accuracy and truthfulness) of the highest degree can be said to be abstract, at least theoretically, since perfect representation is likely to be exceedingly elusive. Artwork which takes liberties, altering for instance color and form in ways that are conspicuous, can be said to be partially abstract.

Le Premier Disque

Delaunay’s work is a primary example of early abstract art. Nonrepresentational art is also sometimes called complete abstraction, bearing no trace of any reference to anything recognizable from the real world. In geometric abstraction, for instance, one is unlikely to find references to naturalistic entities. Figurative art and total abstraction are almost mutually exclusive. But representational (or realistic) art often contains partial abstraction. As you see, these terms are bit confusing, but do your best to understand the basic definitions of representational, abstract and nonrepresentational.

  • Representational, Abstract, and Nonrepresentational Art. From Boundless Art History. Provided by : Boundless. Located at : www.boundless.com/art-history/textbooks/boundless-art-history-textbook/thinking-and-talking-about-art-1/content-42/representational-abstract-and-nonrepresentational-art-264-1615/. License : CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike

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Computer Science > Computation and Language

Title: on the tip of the tongue: analyzing conceptual representation in large language models with reverse-dictionary probe.

Abstract: Probing and enhancing large language models' reasoning capacity remains a crucial open question. Here we re-purpose the reverse dictionary task as a case study to probe LLMs' capacity for conceptual inference. We use in-context learning to guide the models to generate the term for an object concept implied in a linguistic description. Models robustly achieve high accuracy in this task, and their representation space encodes information about object categories and fine-grained features. Further experiments suggest that the conceptual inference ability as probed by the reverse-dictionary task predicts model's general reasoning performance across multiple benchmarks, despite similar syntactic generalization behaviors across models. Explorative analyses suggest that prompting LLMs with description$\Rightarrow$word examples may induce generalization beyond surface-level differences in task construals and facilitate models on broader commonsense reasoning problems.

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COMMENTS

  1. REPRESENTATIONAL definition

    adjective us / ˌrep.rɪ.zenˈteɪ.ʃ ə n. ə l / uk / ˌrep.rɪ.zenˈteɪ.ʃ ə n. ə l / Add to word list Add to word list showing things as they are normally seen: representational art / pictures SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases Representation in art & in general anti-realism anti-realist Calvary complementary confederate limn mimesis

  2. Representation Definition & Meaning

    : the act or action of representing : the state of being represented: such as a : representationalism sense 2 b (1) : the action or fact of one person standing for another so as to have the rights and obligations of the person represented (2) : the substitution of an individual or class in place of a person (such as a child for a deceased parent) c

  3. Representational

    Definitions of representational adjective (used especially of art) depicting objects, figures,or scenes as seen " representational art" " representational images" synonyms: delineative, depictive depicted in a recognizable manner eidetic of visual imagery of almost photographic accuracy figural, figurative

  4. REPRESENTATIONAL Definition & Usage Examples

    Representational definition: . See examples of REPRESENTATIONAL used in a sentence.

  5. REPRESENTATIONAL definition and meaning

    Grammar Apps Blog 'representational' Word Frequency representational in British English (ˌrɛprɪzɛnˈteɪʃənəl ) adjective 1. fine arts depicting or attempting to depict objects, scenes, figures, etc directly as seen; naturalistic 2. of or relating to representation Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers Word Frequency

  6. representational adjective

    adjective /ˌreprɪzenˈteɪʃənl/ /ˌreprɪzenˈteɪʃənl/ (specialist) (especially of a style of art or painting) trying to show things as they really are It is on pottery that representational art first appeared in ancient Greece. compare abstract Topics Art c2 Questions about grammar and vocabulary?

  7. REPRESENTATIONAL definition in American English

    REPRESENTATIONAL definition in American English | Collins English Dictionary English Dictionary Sentences Grammar Definition of 'representational' Word Frequency representational (rɛprɪzɛnteɪʃənəl ) adjective In a representational painting, the artist attempts to show things as they really are. [formal]

  8. representation noun

    [uncountable, countable] the act of presenting somebody/something in a particular way; something that shows or describes something synonym portrayal the negative representation of single mothers in the media The snake swallowing its tail is a representation of infinity. Extra Examples Oxford Collocations Dictionary Definitions on the go

  9. REPRESENTATIONAL Synonyms: 14 Similar and Opposite Words

    Definition of representational as in symbolical having the function or meaning of an object or figure that stands for something else a computer program with representational icons for different functions Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance symbolical symbolic representative emblematical emblematic metaphorical figurative figural metaphoric

  10. Representation

    Depicting or 'making present' something which is absent (e.g. people, places, events, or abstractions) in a different form: as in paintings, photographs, films, or language, rather than as a replica. See also description; compare absent presence.2. The function of a sign or symbol of 'standing for' that to which it refers (its referent).3.

  11. Representation

    noun a factual statement made by one party in order to induce another party to enter into a contract "the sales contract contains several representations by the vendor" see more noun a statement of facts and reasons made in appealing or protesting "certain representations were made concerning police brutality" see more noun

  12. representation noun

    Definition of representation noun in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

  13. REPRESENTATION definition

    a person or organization that speaks, acts, or is present officially for someone else: Can he afford legal representation? Fewer examples Defendants have a right to legal representation and must be informed of that right when they are arrested. The farmers demanded greater representation in parliament.

  14. What does representational mean?

    Definition of representational in the Definitions.net dictionary. Meaning of representational. Information and translations of representational in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web.

  15. 109 Synonyms & Antonyms for REPRESENTATIONAL

    Find 109 different ways to say REPRESENTATIONAL, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com.

  16. Representational

    Tate glossary definition for representational: Blanket term for art that represents some aspect of reality, in a more or less straightforward way. ... The term figurative also implies a particular focus on the human figure. The term non-representational is frequently used as a synonym for abstract.

  17. Representational Art

    Representational art, which is sometimes known as Figurative art, refers to paintings, sculptures, and other art forms that have clearly been copied from real objects. Portraying something that physically exists in reality, such as a landscape, a still life, or a portrait, Representational artworks are instantly recognizable once they are created.

  18. REPRESENTATION

    REPRESENTATION definition: 1. speaking or doing something officially for another person: 2. the way someone or something is…. Learn more.

  19. 1.5: Representational, Abstract, and Nonrepresentational Art

    Key Points. Painting, sculpture, and other artforms can be divided into the categories of representational (sometimes also called figurative art although it doesn't always contain figures), abstract and nonrepresentational art. Representational art describes artworks—particularly paintings and sculptures-that are clearly derived from real object sources, and therefore are by definition ...

  20. Representation

    representation, in government, method or process of enabling the citizenry, or some of them, to participate in the shaping of legislation and governmental policy through deputies chosen by them.. The rationale of representative government is that in large modern countries the people cannot all assemble, as they did in the marketplace of democratic Athens or Rome; and if, therefore, the people ...

  21. On the Tip of the Tongue: Analyzing Conceptual Representation in Large

    Probing and enhancing large language models' reasoning capacity remains a crucial open question. Here we re-purpose the reverse dictionary task as a case study to probe LLMs' capacity for conceptual inference. We use in-context learning to guide the models to generate the term for an object concept implied in a linguistic description. Models robustly achieve high accuracy in this task, and ...