Figural

Figural is an adjective used to describe works of art, imagery, or descriptions that depict recognizable figures, most commonly the human form. The term derives from figure, from Latin figura, with the suffix -al. In contrast to non-figurative or abstract representations, figural works retain discernible shapes or silhouettes of real-world beings or animals. The sense is often narrowed in art history to distinguish figurative or representational art from formalist abstraction.

In practice, figural is frequently used interchangeably with figurative, though some writers reserve figural for depictions of living beings with identifiable bodies, and figurative for representations that convey meaning through symbolic or illustrative figures. In sculpture, painting, and drawing, figural works range from naturalistic to stylized renderings; common genres include portraiture, figure studies, and narrative scenes.

Etymology: from Latin figura “shape, form” and fig- “to conceive or form,” with the English -al suffix. The term is widely used in art criticism, museum labeling, and academic discourse to categorize works by their referential or recognizable representation of the human figure or other figures.

See also: figurative, figure drawing, portrait.