What Do You Call a Person Who Appreciates Art?

Art can grab your attention and inspire you. Some people are really touched by its beauty. These people have a natural ability to understand and appreciate art in all its different types. They often visit art galleries, read lots of art books, and get absorbed in the details of sculptures or paintings.

But what do you call someone who loves these works of art? Let’s find out the words that describe a person who appreciates art.

10 Words for a Person Who Appreciates Art

  • Aesthete
  • Connoisseur
  • Art lover
  • Art enthusiast
  • Cultured
  • Art buff
  • Dilettante
  • Art cognoscente
  • Aficionado
  • Artistic

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • A person who appreciates art can be described using various terms, each capturing a different part of their relationship with art.
  • ‘Aesthete’ and ‘connoisseur’ are used for people who really understand art and have a deep appreciation for it.
  • ‘Art lover’, ‘art enthusiast’, and ‘cultured’ are terms that show a person’s love, active interest, and knowledgeable enjoyment of art.

5 Best Terms to Describe A Person Who Appreciates Art

Let’s look at five fitting words that describe a person who loves art. Each word shows a different level of appreciation, from someone who just likes art to someone who knows a lot about it.

Aesthete

An ‘aesthete‘ is a person who really feels the beauty in art. They can see the small details in artwork that most people might miss. They don’t just like art, they feel it deeply and are often moved by the mix of colors, shapes, and textures.

They love to talk about the emotions and beauty in a piece of art. The word ‘aesthete’ also suggests that this person is quite sophisticated.

To learn how to use “aesthete” in a sentence, look over these examples:

As an aesthete, Maria often spent hours appreciating the intricacies of different artworks.

You can tell he is an aesthete from his deep understanding of art’s subtle nuances.

The way she talks about the emotional depth in sculptures really reveals her as an aesthete.

Being an aesthete, he can appreciate the sophistication in abstract art.

Connoisseur

A ‘connoisseur‘ describes someone with deep knowledge and a refined taste in arts.

Unlike regular art lovers, a connoisseur has an expert understanding often gained through studying art history or working in the art world. As a connoisseur, you would be confident discussing different art movements or giving expert opinions on an artist’s work.

Connoisseurs often go to museums, galleries, and auctions, not just for fun but often to add to their own collection of art. This word often suggests that the person has money or resources to spend on art.

Here are a few examples of using “connoisseurs” in a sentence:

As a connoisseur of modern art, Tom could provide expert opinions on various artworks.

The connoisseur frequented auctions to add unique pieces to his distinguished collection.

The gallery owner, a known connoisseur, was respected for his refined taste in art.

Because of her extensive education in art history, she is considered a connoisseur.

Ted’s expert analysis of the painting’s style revealed to us that he was a connoisseur.

As a connoisseur, Marsha was often asked to judge art competitions.

Art Lover

Art lover‘ is a simple term for anyone who enjoys art. It applies to a broad group of people who like art and often visit galleries and exhibitions.

Art lovers may not always have the expert knowledge of a connoisseur, but their passion for viewing and experiencing art is just as important. An art lover values the joy and happiness they get from art, rather than its academic or monetary value.

This term shows a person’s genuine love for the beauty of the art world, without any critique or focus on study.

You can refer to these examples to learn how it works in a sentence:

He may not know much about art history, but he’s certainly an art lover.

The art lover often visited galleries during her free time to appreciate new works.

Even though Alexis doesn’t paint herself, she is an avid art lover.

As an art lover, he finds joy in exploring different art forms.

The art lover in me finds peace while walking through the sculpture garden.

Art Enthusiast

An ‘art enthusiast’ is a person who actively seeks out and engages with art. Unlike an aesthete or connoisseur, an art enthusiast doesn’t need to have expert knowledge.

As an art enthusiast, you have a strong desire to learn and take part in the arts community. You spend time visiting art shows, taking part in workshops, and maybe even making your own art.

What sets an art enthusiast apart from a casual gallery visitor is your dedicated energy and enthusiasm for learning about art. You aim to understand art history and artistic concepts, and enjoy the culture and energy that art brings to your life and the lives of others.

Here are a few examples of using “art enthusiast” in sentences:

Being an art enthusiast, she regularly attends art workshops to expand her knowledge.

The art enthusiast regularly indulges in learning about different artistic concepts and art history.

Mark is an art enthusiast who actively participates in local art communities.

As an art enthusiast, Rebecca finds joy in both, creating and appreciating art.

The art enthusiast who visited the gallery was eager to learn about the new art movement.

Cultured

The word cultured describes a person who is educated and refined in the arts and humanities. If you’re described as cultured, it suggests that you have a high level of understanding of art that often comes from formal education or regular exposure to high-quality art.

Cultured individuals appreciate the role of art in society and how it reflects human experiences across different cultures.

Cultured people stand out because of their worldly knowledge and ability to place art within a broader cultural and historical context.

You can refer to these examples to learn how it works in a sentence:

His cultured understanding of art comes from years of formal education.

The cultured individual appreciated the role of art in reflecting human experiences.

His cultured nature is evident in his ability to appreciate high-quality art.

As a cultured person, she understands the nuances of different art forms.

The cultured gentleman impressed everyone with his knowledge of Renaissance art.

To sum it up, there are many ways to refer to someone who enjoys art. These words help us see the different ways people connect with and enjoy art, showing the variety in how we all experience this important part of human life. Whether you’re an aesthete, connoisseur, or just love art, your passion for art is really special.

About the author

 Chris Edwards is an English Language Coach with over 10 years of experience in teaching and mentoring students in English grammar and the correct usage of English words. He has a degree in English Literature and Linguistics, and has a certification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA)