AP Art History : AP Art History
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Art History
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Example Questions
Example Question #124 : 3 D Art
The exhibition which first featured this sculpture was considered scandalous because __________________.
nudes were presented in erotic poses
the inclusion of African masks
more famous sculptors were excluded from the exhibition
the subjects were depicted in quotidian poses, and some of the sculptures used non-traditional mediums
the subjects were depicted in quotidian poses, and some of the sculptures used non-traditional mediums
In 1881 the use of quotidian poses was regarded as appropriate for an artist to do as a study in his studio, but not to present to the public. The use of mixed media in his sculpture The Little Fourteen Year Old dance was also a novelty.
Work is in the public domain, accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Sculptures_by_Edgar_Degas#/media/File:Dega_Bronze_Sculptures_01102010_NatArtGallery_Sofia_09.jpg
Example Question #1 : Nineteenth Century Sculpture
The original version of this sculpture was rejected because ____________________.
the subject, Balzac, died before the sculpture could be completed
the project was over budget
the group that commissioned the sculpture thought it was grotesque
it took Rodin too long to complete the sculpture
the group that commissioned the sculpture thought it was grotesque
The Societe des Gens de Lettres, who commissioned Rodin to sculpt Balzac rejected Rodin's sculpture because they considered Rodin's depiction insulting for being out of proportion and in the nude.
Work is in the public domain, accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rodin_Balzac_Nasher_Dallas_1.jpg
Example Question #1 : Understanding Terminology That Describes Nineteenth Century Sculpture
The Arc de Triomphe in Paris monumentalizes French soldiers by referencing __________.
Greek temples
Medieval cathedrals
Egyptian statuary
Roman triumphal monuments
Roman triumphal monuments
L'Arc de Triomphe, in English the Triumph Arch, was begun in 1806 during Napoleon Bonaparte's rule to recognize the sacrifice of French soldiers during the Revolutionary Wars. Through a series of governmental changes, the project went on under the supervision of many architects, all of whom kept the general theme of a Roman triumphal arch for the project. Completed in the 1830s, the Arc remains one of the key symbols of Paris, commemorating French heroism in different ways.
Example Question #1 : Understanding Terminology That Describes Nineteenth Century Sculpture
What is the medium of this sculpture?
Marble
Bronze
Ivory
Ceramic
Bronze
This sculpture is cast in Bronze, a brownish metal with some luster.
This work is in the public domain, accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Sculptures_by_Edgar_Degas#/media/File:Dega_Bronze_Sculptures_01102010_NatArtGallery_Sofia_09.jpg
Example Question #121 : 3 D Art
What technique was used to reproduce this sculpture?
Incarnation
Bas-relief
Lost wax
Spin casting
Lost wax
Rodin frequently used the lost wax technique to produce many of his bronze sculptures. The technique involved making a negative of an existing sculpture, that is then filled with wax that is replaced with bronze as the metal is poured into the cast.
Work is in the public domain, accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rodin_Balzac_Nasher_Dallas_1.jpg
Example Question #1 : Identifying Artists, Works, Or Schools Of Nineteenth Century Sculpture
The monumental postimpressionist sculpture The Thinker was created by __________.
Jean-Antoine Injalbert
Jean-Antoine Houdon
Pablo Picasso
Auguste Rodin
Auguste Rodin
The Thinker, portraying a nude man hunched over with his head on his fist deep in thought, is one of the most widely recognized pieces of art in the world. Created by Auguste Rodin in 1880, it was first widely cast in bronze in 1904, and was immediately desired thanks to its rough hewn texture, vivid portrayal of a man, and the emotion it displays. Thanks to being a bronze cast, there are about twenty-eight versions of the sculpture in existence around the world.
Example Question #2 : Nineteenth Century Sculpture
Auguste Rodin primarily sculpted in __________.
silver
bronze
ceramic
marble
bronze
Auguste Rodin largely reinvented modern sculpture in the late nineteenth century, largely through his ability to capture human forms honestly and present motion in a still sculpture. The success of Rodin was attributable to his use of bronze casting for his sculptures. This both allowed him to mold in clay his radical forms before setting a mold and then allowed that mold to be recast multiple times to produce many copies of his most famous works.
Example Question #1 : Sculpture
The sculptor Auguste Rodin's style was marked by all of the following EXCEPT __________.
the capture of movement in a sculpture
a realistic depiction of the human body
making sculptures out of clay that could work as models for bronze casting
the use of classical and mythological themes
a dark psychological perspective
the use of classical and mythological themes
Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) was a revolutionary sculptor who helped develop modern art, but he actually saw himself as a traditional craftsman. Rodin would use clay to create bronze molds, and used models. In contrast to his predecessors, Rodin asked models to move so he could capture natural movement and a dark psychological perspective. Rodin also refused to use traditional classical and mythological themes in his work.
Example Question #3 : Nineteenth Century Sculpture
The artist of this work is __________________.
Balzac
Preault
Rodin
Degas
Degas
Degas frequently used dancers as his subject, often in every day poses, such as this dancer examining her foot.
Work is in the public domain, accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Sculptures_by_Edgar_Degas#/media/File:Dega_Bronze_Sculptures_01102010_NatArtGallery_Sofia_09.jpg
Example Question #1 : Analyzing Twentieth And Twenty First Century Sculpture
Which of the following is true of Judy Chicago's The Dinner Party?
It is a large departure from Judy Chicago's typical works, as it avoids discussing female sexuality.
It is aimed at establishing respect for women and their art, educating the public about women's role in history and the fine arts and making this accessible to a broad audience.
It includes spaces for only 13 women, reminiscent of the Last Supper.
It avoids using traditionally female craft techniques as a way of elevating women to a higher purpose.
It includes the inscribed names of notable men as well, in order to convey the important female relationship to men.
It is aimed at establishing respect for women and their art, educating the public about women's role in history and the fine arts and making this accessible to a broad audience.
Chicago aims at elevating female achievements in this work, honoring traditional female roles and celebrating the strength, inventiveness, creativity, and independence of women throughout history. Its feminist themes touch on sexuality, traditional gender roles, concepts of achievement, and more.
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