nonobjective

American  

[non-uhb-jek-tiv] / ˌnɒn əbˈdʒɛk tɪv /

adjective

1. not objective.

2. Fine Arts. not representing objects known in physical nature; nonrepresentational.

   some nonobjective works by Kandinsky and Mondrian.

---

nonobjective British  

/ ˌnɒnəbˈdʒɛktɪv /

adjective

1. of or designating an art movement in which things are depicted in an abstract or purely formalized way, not as they appear in reality

---

Etymology

Origin of nonobjective

First recorded in 1900–05; non- + objective

Example Sentences

I admit it is fun, liberating even, to be nonobjective.

From Washington Post • Apr. 6, 2023

By contrast, other 20th century nonobjective artists explored painting’s visual structure as its own spiritual reality.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2018

In its less drastic forms, it is still somewhat miraculous: a nonobjective, emotional event within a factual, emotionless environment.

From Slate • Jun. 8, 2018

His version of abstraction bears the same relationship to the traditional nonobjective thing as his portraits do to conventional portraiture.

From New York Times • Jan. 27, 2011

Back in 1928 he had seen his first nonobjective painting and declared, "By Jove, this is beautiful!"

From Time Magazine Archive

Related Words

• abstract
• biased
• idiosyncratic
• illusory
• instinctive
• intuitive
• personal