Representational
adjective /ˌrep.rɪ.zen.ˈteɪ.ʃən.əl/ — Art that depicts recognizable subjects from reality.
Definition
Art that attempts to depict subjects accurately or recognizably as they appear in the real world — as opposed to abstract or non-objective art. Includes realism, naturalism, and figurative painting.
Beyond the definition
There's a long-standing argument about whether representational art is more accessible than abstract. A truly good representational painting of an ordinary face can be just as confronting as any abstraction.
Origin & history
From 'representation' + '-al'. Emerged as a critical term to distinguish figurative and realistic work from the abstraction that had become dominant in avant-garde circles.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Lucian Freud was fiercely representational — but his nudes were anything but comfortable, which is what made them matter.
The debate between representational and abstract art misses the point: both, at their best, are trying to say something true.
She had started abstract but returned to representational painting after her grandmother's death — she needed to paint faces again.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Representational” when the meaning fits your context: Art that attempts to depict subjects accurately or recognizably as they appear in the real world — as opposed to abstract or non-objective art. Includes realism, naturalism, and figurative painting.
Synonyms
figurative, realistic, naturalistic, objective
Antonyms
abstract, non-objective, conceptual
Related words
Representational vs realistic
Representational describes art that clearly depicts recognizable objects from the world. Realistic describes the specific intent to mimic the visual appearance of reality with high fidelity.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Weathered Stone Statue Of Griffin
A close-up of a weathered stone sculpture shows an eagle's head and wings combined with the body and four legs of a lion.
Representational art depicts recognizable subjects. The griffin, while mythical, is sculpted with anatomical consistency and recognizable features, distinguishing this figurative approach from purely abstract or non-objective artistic traditions.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Representational" mean?
Representational is adjective meaning: Art that depicts recognizable subjects from reality.. Art that attempts to depict subjects accurately or recognizably as they appear in the real world — as opposed to abstract or non-objective art. Includes realism, naturalism, and figurative painting.
Where does the word "Representational" come from?
From 'representation' + '-al'. Emerged as a critical term to distinguish figurative and realistic work from the abstraction that had become dominant in avant-garde circles.