Definition

A style of painting where small dots of color are applied to create an image that blends together when viewed from a distance.

Example

Georges Seurat is famous for his use of pointillism in his artwork.

Conversation

I just saw an amazing art exhibit featuring pointillism.

Oh really? I love how that style looks so vibrant from a distance.

Yeah, it's fascinating how those tiny dots create such depth.

Absolutely! I think it’s one of the coolest techniques in painting.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Pointillism → It is formed from "point" (from Old French *point*, meaning a dot or mark) and "-ism" (a suffix used to denote a practice or movement). The word "pointillism" refers to the artistic technique of creating images using small dots of color.

Memory Tip

Think of small "dots" ('point') used in a specific artistic "movement" ('-ism') to create a picture.

Visually Confused Words