All AP Art History Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #82 : Ancient Through Medieval Sculpture
Pictured above is the Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, originally from Rome.
The function of this sarcophagus is to __________.
tell a story of Christ
commemorate a noble family
house the remains of the dead
decorate a Roman forum
house the remains of the dead
The is a sarcophagus, which is an ancient casket meant to hold the remains of the dead.
Example Question #1 : Analyzing Early Christian, Byzantine, And Early Medieval Sculpture
Pictured above is the Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, originally from Rome.
The material of this piece is __________.
quartz.
teracotta.
marble.
limestone.
marble.
This sarcophagus, like most extant decorative pieces from the Christian period of Roman world, is marble.
Example Question #1 : Analyzing Early Christian, Byzantine, And Early Medieval Sculpture
Pictured above is the Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, originally from Rome.
The figures on the sarcophagus are done in __________.
shaped carving
high relief
etching
bas relief
high relief
The figures are made by removing the areas around them, which is relief carving. It is high relief because the figures are carved so far away from the marble setting that they are almost free.
Example Question #1 : Early Christian, Byzantine, And Early Medieval Sculpture
Pictured above is the Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, originally from Rome.
The stylistic elements of the sarcopagus most aptly reflect __________.
an early Christian-Roman motif
themes of suffering and redemption
Near Eastern cultural influence
late imperial work
an early Christian-Roman motif
The figures are done in a Roman style, but reflect images of Christ and other Christian peoples, suggesting a blending of cultures.