National Galleries of Scotland

Allegory

Where the `story? of a work has a deeper underlying meaning ? often used for the representation of grand, abstract ideas.

Graphic

Art forms, usually on paper, where the emphasis is on expression through line, mark-making or lettering rather than colour. This includes drawing, printmaking and typography.

Metaphor

A figure of speech in which one thing stands for another. By extension, it is any representation that symbolically refers to something else.

Mythological

Refers to figures and events from myths which are the ancient stories that usually explain the origins of historical or natural phenomena.

Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood

A group of mid-19th century English artists inspired by the simplicity of pre-Renaissance Italian art, the name meaning 'before Raphael'. They favoured a close observation of nature and rejected academic rules. They drew on literature for subject matter and were closely associated with the Arts and Crafts movement. Members included John Everett Millais and Dante Gabriel Rossetti.

Print

An image pressed or stamped onto paper or fabric. This encompasses a wide variety of techniques, usually produced in multiples, although one-off prints, known as monoprints, are also included. The term is also applied to photographic images.

Symbolism

The representation of subjects or ideas by use of a device or motif to create underlying meaning. A literary and artistic movement that originated in France and spread through much of Europe in the late 19th century. There was no consistent style but rather an appeal to the idea of the artist as mystic or visionary and the desire to express a world beyond superficial appearances.