pentimento
/ˌpɛn.tɪˈmen.təʊ/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A visible trace of an earlier change in a painting or drawing. It shows that the artist first made one choice, then changed it later.
- The old sketch left a faint pentimento.
- The museum guide pointed out a pentimento in the painting.
Adinary Nuance
Pentimento is more specific than trace or mark. It usually refers to an older layer in a painting that becomes visible after the artist changes the work. Writers choose it when they want an art term, not a general word for a visible sign.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- dấu vết sửa
- Spanish
- pentimento
- Chinese
- 修改痕迹
- Japanese
- 修正の跡
- Korean
- 수정 흔적
Etymology
Pentimento comes from Italian pentimento, meaning “repentance” or “change of mind.” English began using it in art criticism in the early 20th century.
Common phrases
visible pentimentoa pentimento in the paintshowing pentimento
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is pentimento a common word in everyday English?
- No. It is mainly used in art writing, museum talks, and criticism.
- How is pentimento different from a scratch or stain?
- A pentimento comes from an earlier artistic change, not from damage or dirt.
- Can I use pentimento outside painting?
- Usually no. It is mainly an art word, though people sometimes use it metaphorically.