paleoart

noun

pa·​leo·​art ˌpā-lē-ō-ˈärt How to pronounce paleoart (audio)
 especially British  ˌpa-
variants or less commonly paleo-art
: art that depicts prehistoric life or environments and that is based on fossil evidence
While paleoart is a form of scientific art, its value doesn't always lie in its level of accuracy.Asher Elbein
Paleoart usually starts with a fossil. If the actual dinosaur fossil is unavailable, artists can use a 3-D rotatable digital model or photographs.Allen Fisher
paleoartist
ˌpā-lē-ō-ˈär-tist How to pronounce paleoart (audio)
 especially British  ˌpa-
noun
or less commonly paleo-artist
plural paleoartists also paleo-artists
The illustrations by paleoartist Robert Nicholls are scientifically accurate representations of the prehistoric beasts. Linda Howard

Examples of paleoart in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The team hopes that bringing scientifically accurate models to a broad audience will encourage paleoart to become more rigorous. Sam Jones, Scientific American, 10 Mar. 2022 The plant’s longstanding record and frequent use as window-dressing in paleoart leads to the impression that cycads have stodgily been in evolution’s slow lane ever since, but botanists are finding that these plants have been much more responsive than anyone appreciated. Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Apr. 2022 Davis hopes this study helps set a new scientific standard for all paleoart from physical illustrations and sculptures to digital models. Sam Jones, Scientific American, 10 Mar. 2022

Word History

Etymology

paleo- + art entry 1

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paleoart was in 1923

Dictionary Entries Near paleoart

Cite this Entry

“Paleoart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paleoart. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

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