1. Plural of pointillism; art movements or techniques characterized by the application of small dots or points of color to create an image, most notably the late 19th-century Neo-Impressionist movement.
Usage: art history; typically used in plural when referring to multiple instances or variations of the technique
2. Plural of pointillism; any detailed, methodical approach or style that builds a larger whole from many small, precise elements.
Usage: figurative; extended usage beyond visual art

Examples

• The museum's exhibition showcased various pointillisms from the Post-Impressionist era.
• Seurat and Signac were pioneers of pointillisms in late 19th-century France.
• The artist's pointillisms created vibrant landscapes through thousands of tiny colored dots.
• Different pointillisms emerged as artists experimented with color theory and optical mixing.
• The detective's investigation relied on pointillisms—connecting small clues to solve the case.
• Modern digital art sometimes employs pointillisms as a nod to classical techniques.