AP Art History : AP Art History

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Art History

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Example Questions

Example Question #5 : Answering Other Questions About Ancient Grecian And Roman Sculpture

Sculptural portraits during the Republican period in Rome emphasized _______________ characteristics.

Possible Answers:

fantastical individual

idealistic group

realistic individual

fantastical group

Correct answer:

realistic individual

Explanation:

Roman sculptures were mainly realistic and individualistic during the Republican Time period. During this period, the Romans overthrew the previous Roman kingdom. The focus on individuals represented the changing focus away from the idea of a royal kingdom towards the focus of the real individuals in the kingdom fighting for freedom. The fantasy world of the royals was quickly replaced by a very real Republic filled with individuals concerned about their rights. Their art at the time reflected these feelings.

Example Question #81 : Ancient Grecian And Roman Sculpture

Which Ancient Roman resort town buried in volcanic ash provides insight into Roman architecture, domestic decoration, and wall paintings?

Possible Answers:

Pompeii

Naples

Sorrento

Capri

Correct answer:

Pompeii

Explanation:

Pompeii was buried in volcanic ash after Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 C.E. The whole village was lost. Many years later, the town was discovered preserved under the ash. This allowed archaeologists the chance to study what life was like in ancient Roman times and give insight to historians on art practices of the Romans.

Example Question #1 : Analyzing Early Christian, Byzantine, And Early Medieval Sculpture

Pictured above is the Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, originally from Rome.

The function of this sarcophagus is to __________.

Possible Answers:

tell a story of Christ

commemorate a noble family

house the remains of the dead

decorate a Roman forum

Correct answer:

house the remains of the dead

Explanation:

The is a sarcophagus, which is an ancient casket meant to hold the remains of the dead.

Example Question #2 : 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 __________.

Possible Answers:

quartz.

limestone.

marble.

teracotta.

Correct answer:

marble.

Explanation:

This sarcophagus, like most extant decorative pieces from the Christian period of Roman world, is marble.

Example Question #3 : 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 __________.

Possible Answers:

high relief

etching

bas relief

shaped carving

Correct answer:

high relief

Explanation:

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 #91 : Sculpture

Pictured above is the Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, originally from Rome.

The stylistic elements of the sarcopagus most aptly reflect __________.

Possible Answers:

an early Christian-Roman motif

Near Eastern cultural influence

late imperial work

themes of suffering and redemption

Correct answer:

an early Christian-Roman motif

Explanation:

The figures are done in a Roman style, but reflect images of Christ and other Christian peoples, suggesting a blending of cultures.

Example Question #92 : Sculpture

What is included in a pilgrimage type church, such as St. Sernin in Toulouse?

Possible Answers:

Tribune

All of the other answers are correct

Longer nave

Radiating chapels

Double side aisles

Correct answer:

All of the other answers are correct

Explanation:

Pilgrimage type churches housed large crowds on their journey to Compostela or other pilgrimage destinations. Thus, the churches were expanded to accommodate these crowds. The naves were extended; radiating chapels and tribunes were added to house the extra worshippers. Side aisles were doubled, and everything was built on a larger scale.

Example Question #1 : Early Christian, Byzantine, And Early Medieval Sculpture

What is a "reliquary"?

Possible Answers:

The medieval equivalent of a gravestone: a slab containing information about the dead individual buried underneath the site

A container holding the bone(s)/bodily object(s) of a dead saint

A coffin containing the entire body of a saint

The bone(s)/bodily object(s) of a dead saint

Correct answer:

A container holding the bone(s)/bodily object(s) of a dead saint

Explanation:

"Reliquaries" are the containers of relics, or the fragmented body parts (usually the bone(s) or bodily object(s)) of a saint or other religious figure. "Reliquaries" varied in size and shape, and could range from a small amulet containing a pinkie finger to a large box containing a leg bone. Touch relics -or objects that had come in contact with a saint or other religious figure, such as a piece of clothing- might also be held within a reliquary. 

Example Question #2 : Early Christian, Byzantine, And Early Medieval Sculpture

Though __________ was implemented as early as Mesopotamian art, it is a technique that flourished as a part of Byzantine art. It consists of assembling small pieces of glass, stone, metal, and other assorted materials in order to form images and elaborate patterns.

Possible Answers:

relief art

ivory art

diptych painting

portraiture

mosaic art

Correct answer:

mosaic art

Explanation:

Mosaics are one of the most important legacies of Byzantine art, and remained the envy of Western European artists for centuries to come. Mosaic art included patterns, abstract symbolism, and more realistic images.

Example Question #95 : Sculpture

A "mandorla" in Romanesque sculpture is _________________.

Possible Answers:

an oval of light

the vertical stone between the main entrance doors

a musical stringed instrument similar to a small harp

a sea monster in the nether regions

Correct answer:

an oval of light

Explanation:

A "mandorla" is an oval of light, typically surrounding the figure of Christ. "Leviathans" (sea monsters) were sometimes depicted in Romanesque Last Judgment scenes, ready to swallow up the condemned. The vertical stone between the portal doors is called a "trumeau."

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