Affect refers to the emotional or sensory response evoked in a viewer, reader, or listener by a work of art, literature, music, or other creative medium.
Here are some synonyms for affect in this context:
* Impact
* Influence
* Impression
* Feeling
* Response
* Emotive power
* Resonance
For example, you might say that a painting has a powerful affect, conveying a sense of peace and tranquility. Or, a piece of music might have a haunting affect, evoking feelings of sadness and longing.