Which principle ensures a sense of visual stability in artwork?

Balance is the principle of art that ensures a sense of visual stability in a composition. It refers to the distribution of visual weight across the elements of an artwork so that no single area overwhelms the others. When a work is balanced, it feels stable, settled, and visually satisfying.

There are three main types of balance:

• Symmetrical (formal) balance - elements are mirrored equally on either side of a central axis.
• Asymmetrical (informal) balance - different elements of unequal visual weight are arranged so that they still achieve equilibrium.
• Radial balance - elements radiate outward from a central point.

Proportion deals with the relative size and scale of elements to one another, not stability. Movement guides the viewer's eye through a composition and is about flow, not equilibrium. Contrast involves placing opposing elements (light/dark, large/small) next to each other to create visual interest, which may actually work against stability.