AP Art History : Sculpture

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Art History

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Example Questions

Example Question #771 : Ap Art History

A stupa is meant to represent __________________.

Possible Answers:

Fertility

Buddha's entire body

King Ashoka

None of these

Nataraja

Correct answer:

Buddha's entire body

Explanation:

Stupas were built to represent Buddha's body. The top of the stupa was his head, the middle was his body, and the bottom was his crossed legs.

Example Question #1 : Answering Other Questions About Asian Sculpture

What do Buddhist practitioners do at a stupa?

Possible Answers:

Circumambulate the stupa while focusing on the teachings of Buddha 

None of these

Sit inside the stupa and meditate on the teachings of Buddha

Perform cleansing rituals in front of the stupa

Sit in front of the stupa and meditate

Correct answer:

Circumambulate the stupa while focusing on the teachings of Buddha 

Explanation:

The stupa is a solid object. Therefore it cannot be entered. Practitioners were meant to walk around the stupa, which is also known as circumambulation. This was meant to be a meditative walk that could allow the practitioner to think about the teachings of Buddha.

Example Question #1 : Answering Other Questions About Asian Sculpture

For what were The David Vases made?

Possible Answers:

A Doaist temple

A Yuan Dynasty Emperor

None of these

A Buddhist Temple

An English nobleman

Correct answer:

A Doaist temple

Explanation:

The David Vases were made for a Doaist temple alter. One of the most important parts of the vases are a dated inscription. 

Example Question #181 : Sculpture

256px-Shiva_as_the_Lord_of_Dance_LACMA_edit.jpg

The work shown here was created with the intention of __________________.

Possible Answers:

honoring an important ruler

being utilized in religious ceremonies

illustrating a story from history

challenging the conventional culture

Correct answer:

being utilized in religious ceremonies

Explanation:

This statue of Shiva was created under the Chola dynasty of southern India in the 10th century, a time and place in which the worship of Shiva was preeminent. Such a statue would have been used in religious ceremonies, particularly as the beliefs of the time held such gods as fully present in believers’ like not dissimilar from the ceremonial role of a monarch.

Image is in the public domain accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shiva_as_the_Lord_of_Dance_LACMA_edit.jpg

Example Question #182 : Sculpture


Sanchi  stupa 1  western gateway  9839922393

Image by Arian Zwegers from Brussels, Belgium (Sanchi, Stupa 1, western gateway) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons. <https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/Sanchi%2C_Stupa_1%2C_western_gateway_%289839922393%29.jpg>.

The Great Stupa at Sanchi is _________________.

Possible Answers:

a funerary monument honoring the emperor

an imperial pleasure palace

a religious structure that protects relics

a monastery that houses monks

a covered bathing complex

Correct answer:

a religious structure that protects relics

Explanation:

Commissioned by the emperor Ashoka during the 3rd century BCE, the Great Stupa at Sanchi was constructed to house the relics of the Buddha and is the oldest known stone structure in India.

Image by Arian Zwegers from Brussels, Belgium (Sanchi, Stupa 1, western gateway) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons. <https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/Sanchi%2C_Stupa_1%2C_western_gateway_%289839922393%29.jpg>.

Example Question #182 : Sculpture

What was the function of The Stele of Hammurabi?

Milkau oberer teil der stele mit dem text von hammurapis gesetzescode 369 2

Possible Answers:

It gave directions to the nearest kingdoms

It told the origin story of the sun god, Shamash

It contained a listing of all of the people who lived in Hammurabi's kingdom

It listed a code of laws for the people under Hammurabi's rule to follow

It issued a warning to any potential invaders to turn back, or else face Hammurabi's army

Correct answer:

It listed a code of laws for the people under Hammurabi's rule to follow

Explanation:

The Stele of Hammurabi lists out a code of laws for the people of Babylon to follow. There are over 300 law entries written out in the work.

Image is in the public domain, accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_of_Hammurabi#/media/File:Milkau_Oberer_Teil_der_Stele_mit_dem_Text_von_Hammurapis_Gesetzescode_369-2.png

Example Question #1 : Near Eastern Sculpture

Which one of the following cannot be found in the Palette of King Narmer?

Possible Answers:

Composite pose

Animal symbolism

Hieroglyphic inscription

Hieratic scale

Atmospheric perspective

Correct answer:

Atmospheric perspective

Explanation:

Hieratic scale is demonstrated by Narmer's overwhelming stature in comparison to the figures around him. Phonetic hieroglyphs at the center top of each side identify the name of the king. The bull symbolizes the power of the king. Many figures are portrayed in the composite pose: heads and legs are shown in profile while eyes and torsos are rendered frontally.

Example Question #2 : Near Eastern Sculpture

What medium was known for producing the Egyptian Blue sculptures of Ancient Egypt?

Possible Answers:

Ceramic

Turquoise

Terracotta

Faience

Lapis Lazuli

Correct answer:

Faience

Explanation:

Faience is the glazed medium that is responsible for the Egyptian Blue found in many Egyptian sculptures. Though Lapis Lazuli is known for its ultramarine color, similar to faience, it was not used often due to its scarcity.

Example Question #1 : Identifying Artists, Works, Or Schools Of Near Eastern Sculpture

Who are the two people depicted in The Stele of Hammurabi?

Milkau oberer teil der stele mit dem text von hammurapis gesetzescode 369 2

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_of_Hammurabi#/media/File:Milkau_Oberer_Teil_der_Stele_mit_dem_Text_von_Hammurapis_Gesetzescode_369-2.png)

Possible Answers:

Shamash, the king, and the sun god Hammurabi.

Sargon, the king, and the sun god Ashur.

Hammurabi, the king, and the sun god Shamash.

Tutankhamen, the king, and the sun god Amun-Ra.

Alexander the Great, and the sun god Trajan.

Correct answer:

Hammurabi, the king, and the sun god Shamash.

Explanation:

Depicted in this stele are the king, Hammurabi, and the sun god, Shamash.  Shamash is shown here delivering the text of the message on the stele to Hammurabi.

Example Question #2 : Identifying Artists, Works, Or Schools Of Near Eastern Sculpture

What culture was The Stele of Hammurabi associated with?

Milkau oberer teil der stele mit dem text von hammurapis gesetzescode 369 2

Possible Answers:

Egyptians

Aztecs

Persians

Babylonians

Assyrians

Correct answer:

Babylonians

Explanation:

The Stele of Hammurabi is associated with the Babylonians, and dates back to 1792-1750 BCE.

Image is in the public domain, accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_of_Hammurabi#/media/File:Milkau_Oberer_Teil_der_Stele_mit_dem_Text_von_Hammurapis_Gesetzescode_369-2.png

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