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Glite Dictionary
beaux arts

beaux arts

9.9
A style of art and building design that uses classical shapes, large scale, and rich decoration
  • noun
  • /boʊ zɑr/
  • Specialized
translation icon : bellas artes
  • The New York Public Library is an iconic example of beaux arts architecture, showcasing grand columns and intricate details.

Examples

  • Palaces of the beaux arts! 19

    Academic text (1994)

  • I am not alone in recommending that arts programs at large universities should avoid replicating what can best be undertaken at smaller liberal arts colleges, independent schools of art and design, and conservatories for the performing arts that follow European beaux-arts traditions.

    Academic text (1994)

  • He has a take on the (I think) beaux arts style that was used in early twentieth-century illustration (I'm thinking Howard Pyle or N.C. Wyeth).

    Blog text (32)

  • Many cities feature buildings designed in the beaux arts style, marked by their classical shapes and elaborate decorations.

  • The museum's beaux arts wing displays stunning sculptures and paintings that reflect the elegance of this artistic tradition.

Synonyms

art
vsbeaux arts
∞ 1.0

Creative works like paintings or music that show beauty and feeling

is a narrower academic style focused on visual classical forms and ornament
fine art
vsbeaux arts
20 4.1

Things people make mainly to be beautiful and admired, like paintings or sculptures

is an academic classical form emphasizing grand scale and decorative detail
fine arts
vsbeaux arts
11 3.2

A kind of work that shows beauty and ideas, like painting or sculpture

is a specific classical Parisian style and school stressing grand scale and ornament

How Ornate

rococo
  • Specialized
5 9.8
baroque
6 8.1
beaux arts
  • Specialized
9.9
minimalism
5 6.5

Surface Forms

beaux arts singular
beaux arts plural

Morphology

beaux + art

This is a French borrowing whose parts ('beaux' = beautiful/fine and 'arts' = artistic works) give a partial clue — a learner who knows those constituents could infer a general sense of 'fine/visual arts'. However, the phrase specifically denotes a historical academic tradition and a distinct architectural/design style (École des Beaux-Arts) that cannot be fully predicted from the literal parts, so it is only partly transparent.

Etymology

Beaux arts comes from French and literally joins beaux 'beautiful' and arts 'works'. It was the name of a famous art school in Paris where artists learned large, classical designs and rich decoration, so beaux arts now means both the study of 'fine art' and a grand, highly decorated style.