figuration

[fig-yuh-rey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of shaping into a particular figure.

2. the resulting figure or shape.

   emblematic figurations of the sun and the moon.

3. the act of representing figuratively.

4. a figurative representation.

   allegorical figurations.

5. the act of marking or adorning with a design.

6. Music.

   1. the employment of passing notes or other embellishments.

   2. the figuring of a bass part.

figuration

/ ˌfɪɡəˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. music

   1. the employment of characteristic patterns of notes, esp in variations on a theme

   2. decoration or florid ornamentation in general

2. the act or an instance of representing figuratively, as by means of allegory or emblem

3. a figurative or emblematic representation

4. the act of decorating with a design

Word History and Origins

Origin of figuration¹

1400–50; late Middle English figuracioun < Latin figūrātiōn- (stem of figūrātiō ) “a shaping” ( figure ( def. ) ) + -ion

Example Sentences

The exhibition spotlights her signature abstract figurations and natural landscapes.

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The layering of topicality, color sensitivity, art-historical ancestors and figuration and abstraction in “40 Acres and a Unicorn” recurs throughout the brief eight-year period being surveyed.

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I started doing the same face for everything because in Japanese ukiyo-e prints, the figuration is always the same — like every girl in a print will have the exact same face but have different outfits.

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The other was the vigorous argument between abstraction and figuration as front runner of the avant-garde, then being hard-fought in the American art world.

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Most often, though, these 172 artists showing with 89 exhibitors are taking big swings in lots of directions — severe abstraction, obsessive figuration, decaying sneakers — so that making a list of standouts was nearly impossible.

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