AP Art History : Sculpture

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Art History

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Near Eastern Sculpture

What is this object called?

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

Possible Answers:

Cuneiform writing

A cella

A ziggurat

An apadana

A stele

Correct answer:

A stele

Explanation:

This is a stele, or a stone slab used as a site marker. This particular one (The Stele of Hammurabi) was put in a centralized meeting spot in town so that all could read its message.

Image 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 : Oceanian Sculpture

The large statues made from volcanic ash known as moai are found on __________.

Possible Answers:

the Hawaiian Islands

Samoa

Easter Island

Christmas Island

Correct answer:

Easter Island

Explanation:

The moai of Easter Island are the small eastern Polynesian Island's most famous monuments, 887 statues with giant heads that are placed all around the island. While sharing much in common with other Polynesian sculpture, the remoteness of Easter Island and its intense tribal warfare make these symbolic monuments to ancestors larger and more stylized than other similar pieces of art.

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

What were the feathered capes (or cloaks) worn by Hawaiian noble men called?

Possible Answers:

'i'iwi cape

garments of the gods

nobility cape

'ahu'ula

 olona

Correct answer:

'ahu'ula

Explanation:

The cloaks were called 'ahu'ula. These were capes made of red, yellow, and black feathers. They were worn during both ceremonies and battles. 

Example Question #1 : Answering Other Questions About Oceanian Sculpture

The Malangan figures were not involved in ___________.

Possible Answers:

birthing rituals

affirming clan group identities

honoring the dead

negotiating land rights

Correct answer:

birthing rituals

Explanation:

The Malangan figures were single use sculptures made in an island of Papua New Guinea for malangan, a set of rituals that were used to say goodbye to the dead, affirm clan identities, and negotiate land rights.

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