Pikturës

Pikturës refers to the practice of painting, a visual art form that involves applying pigment to a surface to create an image, symbol, or idea. The term is used in Albanian to denote both the discipline and its works, known as piktura. Common media include oil paint, acrylic, tempera, watercolor, fresco, and mixed media, while supports range from canvas and wooden panels to paper and brick walls.

Historically, painting has developed through many stages. Ancient and medieval traditions produced religious and ceremonial works, while the Renaissance introduced perspective and realism. In modern times, painting embraced experimentation with form, color, and concept, giving rise to movements such as realism, impressionism, expressionism, abstraction, and contemporary practices that blur boundaries with other media.

In Albania and the wider region, pikturës has been influenced by religious iconography, folk art, and European art currents. Icon painters contributed to church interiors, while later centuries saw artists engaging with national history, social themes, and contemporary ideas. Today, pikturës is studied in art schools, represented in galleries and museums, and practiced by professionals and amateurs alike. Conservation of paintings addresses issues such as pigment stability, surface degradation, and environmental conditions, with professional restoration methods helping to preserve works for future generations.

Pikturës remains a central form of visual expression, enabling artists to explore perception, memory, identity, and emotion through color, composition, and technique.