AP Art History : Answering other questions about Asian 2D art

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Art History

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Example Questions

Example Question #491 : 2 D Art

In Hindu iconography a figure with blue skin represents __________.

Possible Answers:

Parvati

Krishna

Shiva

Ganesha

Correct answer:

Krishna

Explanation:

Krishna is seen as the full incarnation of the god Vishnu in many forms of Hinudism, and is therefore an extremely popular subject in Hindu religious art. Krishna is most easily identifiable as having blue skin, which is related to the meaning of his name in Sanskrit, "the dark one."  Krishna has been worshipped as the supreme god since the middle ages in Hindu religious traditions.

Example Question #2 : Answering Other Questions About Asian 2 D Art

800px-great_wave_off_kanagawa2

The above picture is an example of art from what nation?

Possible Answers:

Korea

Indonesia

Japan

China

India

Correct answer:

Japan

Explanation:

This image, "The Great Wave Off Kanagawa" by Hokusai, is one of the iconic and indelible images of Japanes art. Done in the ukiyo-e woodblock printing style, the print is in many copies throughout the world, and in the usual fashion of nineteenth-century Japanese art, it depicts a dramatic force of nature in a landscape. Additionally, its formalism and representational elements are indicative of art from the Edo period (1603-1867).

Example Question #2 : Answering Other Questions About Asian 2 D Art

During the Tokugawa shogunate, Japan carried out an isolationist policy; however, the Japanese allowed trade with the __________, which led to the inflow of Prussian Blue pigments. The deep blue is characteristic of many Japanese woodblock prints, such as The Great Wave Off Kaganawa by Katsushika Hokusai.

Possible Answers:

Austrians

English

Prussians

Americans

Dutch

Correct answer:

Dutch

Explanation:

The Dutch had quite an influence in Japan during this period; the Japanese adopted the "Dutch Learning," or Rangaku, philosophy to better understand Western European technological advances. Though the English did have some influence in Japan, the Dutch were far more influential in trade, ideology, and religion.

Example Question #501 : Ap Art History

Great wave off kanagawa2

The work shown here depicts which Japanese geographical feature?

Possible Answers:

Mount Fuji

Iwo Jima

The Sea of Japan

The Island of Hokkaido

Correct answer:

Mount Fuji

Explanation:

Kanagawa oki nama ura (Under the Wave off Kanagawa) is from a series of forty-six woodblock prints by Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai depicting different images of the largest and most iconic mountain in Japan, Mount Fuji, called Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji, and which had an additional ten added after its significant popularity. Mount Fuji is placed in the low point of the waves which are tossing around fishing boats, and is recognizable for its volcanic dome shape.

Image accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Katsushika_Hokusai,_published_by_Nishimuraya_Yohachi_(Eijudō)_-_Under_the_Wave_off_Kanagawa_(Kanagawa-oki_nami-ura),_also_known_as_the_Great_Wave,_from_the_series_T..._-_Google_Art_Project.jpg

Example Question #502 : Ap Art History

Great wave off kanagawa2

Based on the composition of the work shown here, it can be inferred that the artist views nature as ___________________.

Possible Answers:

chaotic and threatening, but nonetheless majestic

something to be dominated by human beings

inimical to tranquility in human life

sublime and beautiful in every way

Correct answer:

chaotic and threatening, but nonetheless majestic

Explanation:

The main structure of the painting is a massive storm wave tossing small ships at sea, which is why Katsushika Hokusai’s work is titled Kanagawa oki nama ura (Under the Wave off Kanagawa). Despite this chaotic foreground scene, and its sense of destruction, the image of Mount Fuji framed by the wave also shows nature as something awe-inspiring and majestic.

Image accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Katsushika_Hokusai,_published_by_Nishimuraya_Yohachi_(Eijudō)_-_Under_the_Wave_off_Kanagawa_(Kanagawa-oki_nami-ura),_also_known_as_the_Great_Wave,_from_the_series_T..._-_Google_Art_Project.jpg

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