precizm

Precizm is a term that is sometimes used as an alternative spelling for Precisionism, a major American art movement of the early 20th century. The standard form in art history is Precisionism, though some writers and contemporary sources spell it as Precizm. The term may also appear in modern contexts as a variant spelling or as part of online names, but it primarily refers to the same aesthetic associated with Precisionism.

Origin and scope: Precisionism emerged in the 1910s and flourished through the 1920s in the United States. It prioritized technical clarity and a machine-age subject matter, depicting factories, skyscrapers, bridges, and other industrial forms with sharp, clean lines and flattened planes. The palette was often restrained, ranging from monochrome to limited earth tones.

Characteristics: Key features include precise draftsmanship, geometric simplification, smoothly modeled surfaces, and an emphasis on form and structure over sentiment. The imagery celebrated modern infrastructure and urban landscapes, aligning with contemporary ideals of efficiency and rationality.

Notable figures: Painters commonly associated with the movement include Charles Demuth and Charles Sheeler, with others such as Louis Lozowick contributing to its development. Their work combined elements of Cubism and Futurism with American subject matter.

Legacy: Precisionism influenced later American modernism and has been reassessed by scholars in the context of American industrial and architectural imagery. The term Precizm remains a less common spelling and is typically encountered only in variant usages.