AP Art History : Renaissance to Contemporary 2D Art

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Art History

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Example Questions

Example Question #151 : 2 D Art

The Medici family patronized many artists, sculptors, and architects during the Italian Renaissance.

Which Medici-patronized artist is responsible for The Birth of Venus, shown below?

 800px sandro botticelli   la nascita di venere   google art project   edited

Possible Answers:

Leonardo Da Vinci

Sandro Botticelli

Michelangelo

Filippo Brunelleschi

Titian

Correct answer:

Sandro Botticelli

Explanation:

Botticelli is responsible for this Venus. Though Titian did render the Venus of Urbino, it is very different from Botticielli's. The other artists were patronized by the Medici, but not for this piece.

Image: The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli (c. 1480–1490). From https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ASandro_Botticelli_-_La_nascita_di_Venere_-_Google_Art_Project_-_edited.jpg.

Example Question #152 : 2 D Art

Fra filippo lippi   madonna with the child and two angels   wga13307

Based on style and composition, the work shown here was created in ___________________.

Possible Answers:

Italy

Spain

Flanders

France

Correct answer:

Italy

Explanation:

The Madonna and Child with Two Angels by Fra Filippo Lippi is highly representative of Early Italian Renaissance art. While displaying a typical medieval subject, the Virgin Mary with the Christ child, its composition, tone, and perspective set it apart from the Gothic and Romanesque traditions. Lippi has a playful angel holding the Christ child, while the Madonna is set on what looks like a frame, creating more visual interest than typical Gothic art.

Image accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fra_Filippo_Lippi_-_Madonna_and_Child_with_two_Angels_-_Uffizi.jpg

Example Question #153 : 2 D Art

Entombment of christ

Based on style and composition, the work shown here belongs to the artistic movement known as _________________.

Possible Answers:

Mannerism

Rococo

Baroque

Romanesque

Correct answer:

Mannerism

Explanation:

The Italian Renaissance brought about brand new ideals in art regarding composition, form, and perspective, as well as creating new ideologies about art. In the middle sixteenth century, a development of Renaissance art called Mannerism began, which favored all of these notions of perfection to a perhaps absurd extent. This work, Jacopo da Pontormo’s Entombment of Christ, has figures posed in such an elegant manner that they are almost unrealistic and utilizes extremely bright colors, both hallmarks of Mannerism.

Image accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jacopo_Pontormo_004.jpg

Example Question #154 : 2 D Art

Entombment of christ

The work shown here is most similar to which of the following works?

Possible Answers:

Virgin and Child Between Saints Theodore and George

Adam and Eve, by Albrecht Durer

Annunciation Triptych, by the Workshop of Robert Campin

Venus of Urbino, by Titian

Correct answer:

Venus of Urbino, by Titian

Explanation:

The Entombment of Christ is highly emblematic of Mannerism, a specific artistic movement popular in the Later Italian Renaissance of the early 16th century, featuring figures posed in elaborate manners and a vivid color palette. While Titian was not strictly a mannerist, his work, including the Venus of Urbino, shares many similarities with many mannerist works. The similarity between the two works is noticeable even though one is a scene from the Christian Gospels and another depicts a Roman goddess.

Image accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jacopo_Pontormo_004.jpg

Example Question #155 : 2 D Art

Based on his artistic work, who is mostly likely the artist who wrote that the most praiseworthy form of painting is the one that most resembles what it imitates?

Possible Answers:

Parmigianino

Leonardo da Vinci

Henri Matisse

Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Correct answer:

Leonardo da Vinci

Explanation:

DaVinci even dissected human cadavers in his efforts to understand accurately the human form. His drawings and paintings reflect great attention to reproduction of reality, as seen in his quote. Matisse was a Fauve, Renoir, an Impressionist, and Parmigianino was a Mannerist, whose elongated body features depart from strict realism.

Example Question #151 : Ap Art History

From what art historical period is the The Last Supper?

1024px u ltima cena   da vinci 5

Possible Answers:

Renaissance

Gothic

Romanesque

Medieval

Byzantine

Correct answer:

Renaissance

Explanation:

The Last Supper is considered a work of Renaissance art. It dates back to 1498 CE.

Image is in the public domain, accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Supper_(Leonardo_da_Vinci)#/media/File:%C3%9Altima_Cena_-_Da_Vinci_5.jpg

Example Question #152 : Ap Art History

Vermeer

The artist of this painting is ____________________.

Possible Answers:

Vermeer

Durer

Dubois

Bosch

Correct answer:

Vermeer

Explanation:

Vermeer can be identified by his use of realism, especially with respect to light, shading, and perspective.

Image is in the public domain, accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Johannes_Vermeer_-_Woman_Holding_a_Balance_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg

Example Question #156 : 2 D Art

Of what period is this painting a notable work?

Tiziano   venere di urbino   google art project

Possible Answers:

Post-Modernism

Medieval

Renaissance

Baroque

Mannerist

Correct answer:

Renaissance

Explanation:

This painting is considered a work of the Renaissance period, as it was painted in 1538.  This period came before Post-Modernism and the Baroque period, and was before the Medieval period. Mannerism was a specific style within the Renaissance period, but this is not an example of a painting that has mannerist features -this particular style was characterized by distorted figures and colors and unusual compositions.

Image is in the public domain, accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bb/Tiziano_-_Venere_di_Urbino_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg

Example Question #157 : 2 D Art

What is the name of this work?

Tiziano   venere di urbino   google art project

Possible Answers:

Venus of Urbino

The Birth of Venus

Venus di Milo

Delphic Sybil

Pieta

Correct answer:

Venus of Urbino

Explanation:

This painting is called the Venus of Urbino. Although it is titled "Venus," it is not certain whether or not the woman depicted is actually intended to be the goddess Venus (and, in fact, likely was not -- is believed that the woman depicted could be a courtesan). The title was likely given long after the painting was finished, and the woman was likely named Venus to legitimize the depiction of a nude woman during a time period where it may have been frowned upon to depict generic nudes.

Image is in the public domain, accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bb/Tiziano_-_Venere_di_Urbino_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg

Example Question #158 : 2 D Art

Who is the artist of this painting?

Tiziano   venere di urbino   google art project

Possible Answers:

Michelangelo

Raphael

Da Vinci

Bruneschelli

Titian

Correct answer:

Titian

Explanation:

Titian painted Venus of Urbino. He was a renowned artist of the Renaissance period. This particular painting was commissioned by patron Guildobaldo della Rovere of Urbino. Michelangelo, Da Vinci and Raphael are also renowned artists of the Renaissance period, and Bruneschelli is an early Renaissance architect.

Image is in the public domain, accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bb/Tiziano_-_Venere_di_Urbino_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg

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