beeldende

Beeldende is a Dutch adjective meaning related to images, representation, or the making of visual art. It is most widely encountered in compound terms such as beeldende kunsten (the visual arts) and beeldende vorming (visual arts education). The root word beeld means image, figure, or statue, and the suffix -ende marks a characteristic or activity connected with that root.

Beeldende kunsten refers to art forms that involve the creation or manipulation of visual representations. Traditionally this includes painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, photography, film and video, installation, and other media that convey meaning primarily through visual means. The category is used in museums, galleries, curatorial writing, and educational contexts to distinguish visual arts from other disciplines such as muziek (music) or theater.

In education, beeldende vorming is a subject aimed at developing students' visual literacy, creativity, and technical skills in handling materials and media to express ideas and interpret images. The exact curriculum varies by country and region but generally emphasizes experimentation with form, color, texture, and space as well as critical reflection on visual culture.

Beeldende can also appear in phrases describing objects or phenomena with visual or imagery-related characteristics, for example beeldende kunst, beeldende vormgeving, and beeldende media. Etymologically, the term reflects the emphasis on imagery and representation central to the field.