What term refers to the representation of figures in a non-realistic manner?

The term that refers to the representation of figures in a non-realistic manner is abstraction. This artistic approach emphasizes shapes, colors, forms, and gestural marks to create compositions that do not aim to accurately depict the visual reality. Instead, abstraction seeks to express ideas, emotions, and concepts through non-representational forms.

In contrast, realism focuses on depicting subjects as they appear in everyday life, maintaining a high level of detail and accuracy. Surrealism explores themes of dreams and the unconscious, often combining realistic elements in bizarre or fantasy-like situations, while symbolism uses images and symbols to convey deeper meanings and ideas, often grounded in emotional or narrative contexts. These distinctions highlight why abstraction is the correct term for non-realistic representation in art.