luminism

noun

lu·​mi·​nism ˈlü-mə-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce luminism (audio)
often capitalized
: a theory or practice of realist landscape and seascape painting developed in the U.S. in the mid-19th century and concerned with the study and depiction of effects of light and atmosphere
luminist noun or adjective often capitalized

Examples of luminism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Illuminated from behind by an electric light, the painting predicted both the sofa-sized luminism of Thomas Kinkade and the big-screen visual effects that still dazzle audiences today. Washington Post, 13 Apr. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'luminism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

probably from lumin(ous) + -ism

Note: The term has been credited to the American art curator John I.H. Baur (1909-87), who used it in the article "American Luminism: A Neglected Aspect of the Realist Movement in Nineteenth-Century America," Perspectives USA, no. 9 (Autumn, 1954), pp. 91-98.

First Known Use

1954, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of luminism was in 1954

Dictionary Entries Near luminism

Cite this Entry

“Luminism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/luminism. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on luminism

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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