Which term describes a painting style that depicts scenes from everyday life and is valued for its social context?

• A. Abstract Expressionism
• B. Still Life
• C. Genre painting
• D. Portraiture

Answer: (C)

Genre painting captures scenes of daily life, focusing on ordinary people, activities, and social interactions. This kind of work is valued not just for the image itself but for what it reveals about the society and time in which it was made—people’s routines, manners, class distinctions, and cultural practices. It contrasts with still life, which centers on inanimate objects; with portraiture, which concentrates on an individual; and with abstract expressionism, which prioritizes emotion and non-representational form over recognizable everyday scenes. Because it highlights everyday life and its social context, the term that fits best is genre painting.