motif

1) A recurring subject, theme, or idea in art. For example, grainstacks appear frequently as motifs in the works of Claude Monet (1840- 1926).

Claude Monet. Grainstacks, Sunset, Snow Effect. Oil on canvas. 1891. Art Institute of Chicago.

2) A distinct or separable element in the design of a pattern. Web resource here.

Paul Poiret. Silk satin print with parrot motif. Ca. 1911-1923. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

A free resource for students and teachers, created by Dr. James Terry. Art History Glossary by James Terry is licensed under Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 .