Naïve art is commonly defined as visual art produced by individuals lacking formal education and training characteristic of professional artists, including anatomy, art history, technique, perspective, and visual interpretation. When trained artists deliberately replicate this aesthetic, it may be referred to as primitivism, pseudo-naïve art, or faux naïve art. Distinct from folk art, naïve art doesn't necessarily emerge from a specific cultural context or tradition; in advanced economies and since the Printing Revolution, awareness of local fine art traditions has been widespread through popular prints and other media. Naïve artists possess knowledge of "fine art" conventions like graphical perspective and composition, but they might not fully employ them or choose not to. In contrast, outsider art (art brut) encompasses works from a similar context with minimal interaction with the mainstream art world. Naïve art is celebrated for its childlike simplicity and honesty, often characterized by flat rendering and basic perspective. A notable figure in "naïve art" is Henri Rousseau (1844–1910), a French Post-Impressionist discovered by Pablo Picasso. Defining the term and its relationship with neighboring concepts like folk art and outsider art has sparked debate. Naïve art typically pertains to fine art forms such as paintings and sculptures created by self-taught artists, while utilitarian objects fall under folk art. However, this distinction has been contested. Another term, "provincial," might be used, particularly in reference to paintings and architecture, to describe the work of artists who received some formal training but unintentionally deviated from metropolitan or court standards.

Naïve art - Wikipedia