Consider a collection of artworks ordered chronologically. I would like a term which describes moving through the collection from present to past and a term which describes moving through the collection from past to present.
Traverse meaning moving back and forth seemed to me an interesting starting point.
Retrospective is clearly a related term. However to my mind this means looking with a view to the past from the present. I would like to convey movement towards the past.
Chronological is also related.
Progressive is a candidate for describing moving from past to present, or perhaps even moving from present to past. Time is often described as progressing. However I'm not keen on the connotation of improvement which progression has. I would also like two opposable terms, one for a direction to the present and one for a direction to the past.
Retroverse is a candidate for describing moving from present to past, which I like. It seems to have some precedent. However what I image would be the complementary term, proverse, seems not to exist. What do any of you think about this, does retroverse seem like a suitable term to you? Can anybody think of a more suitable complement to retroverse than proverse? I'm considering using these terms despite proverse perhaps being made up.
Retrochronological perhaps could mean moving from present to past. Does this word exist? It seems a bit unwieldy, I prefer the flavour of retroverse. What would the compliment be? Perhaps simply chronological? Is there a better compliment to chronological than retrochronological? Would you consider retrochronological / chronological to be more proper than retroverse / proverse? Which pair do you prefer?
Can you imagine any other potential terms?
Many thanks for your help!
proverseis perhaps not so suitable. I could simply useforwardandbackward, however I feel both directions are forward, one forwards toward the present and the other forward toward the past.toandfroorbackandforthmight be suitable as well./reversechrono/and/chrono/.