All AP Art History Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #4 : Sculpture Of The Americas
Arguably the most recognizable piece of artwork from Mesoamerica is the Aztec __________. This stone was carved in the mid-fifteenth century and presents different worlds of the sun according to Aztec mythology. This stone was once a part of the Templo Mayor of Tenochtitlan.
Altar
None of the other answers is correct.
Throne
Sun Stone
Stucco
Sun Stone
The Aztec Sun Stone (also known as the Aztec Calendar Stone) is an elaborately carved stone disk that represents a link between humanity and the divine through the current ruler of the Aztec Empire at the time of its carving. It is not a working calendar. It may also have at some point been anointed with blood sacrifices to please the gods the Aztecs believed in.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Artists, Works, Or Schools Of Sculpture Of The Americas
These stone monuments left behind by the Toltec civilization, which occupied what is now Hidalgo, Mexico, are an example of which type of monument frequently found in Pre-Columbian architecture and sculpture?
Warior Totems
Atlantean figures
Zapotec Guardians
Aztec Warriors
Toltec Guardians
Atlantean figures
Atlantean figures have been found in various different areas of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, most notably in Hidalgo, Mexico, which was previously occupied by the Toltecs. Their purpose is generally as support pillars. Atlantean refers to the Titan god Atlas, from Ancient Greek mythology, who was doomed to hold up the heavens for all eternity. They are generally carved to represent fierce, bellicose men. When the Aztecs found these pillars after the Toltecs abandoned their city, they imagined that the pillars represented their own gods, and considered the city divine.
Image accessed at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Telamones_Tula.jpg
Photograph by Luidger
Example Question #12 : Sculpture Beyond European Artistic Traditions
Pre-Columbian art refers to the artistic endeavors of the indigenous populations of which areas prior to the mid-sixteenth century?
China
North, South and Central America and the Caribbean
Southeast Asia
Eastern Europe
Russia
North, South and Central America and the Caribbean
The term "Pre-Columbian" refers to a time before European colonization of the Americas. The term can be deconstructed as "Before Columbus," as Christopher Columbus' arrival to the Americas is seen as the beginning of European influence in what was then known as the "new world."
Example Question #6 : Sculpture Of The Americas
Art and architecture from which Mesoamerican civilization is arguably the most well known and studied, its creators having inhabited Mexico during the late postclassic period of the Pre-Columbian era, when the European colonization of the Americas began?
The Olmec
The Aztecs
The Mayans
The Inca
The Toltec
The Aztecs
The Aztecs occupied a large portion of central Mexico and Mesoamerica from the fourteenth to the sixteenth century. They were the last surviving major civilization of the Mesoamerica by the time that Spanish sailors invaded the area. Much is known about their art and culture, as they were (historically-speaking) very recently conquered by Spain. Although Spain did destroy a very large amount of their artwork and culture as part of their takeover of Latin America, much remains, and was later studied.
Example Question #1 : Analyzing Asian Sculpture
Which is NOT true of the Shiva Nataraja bronze sculptures from the Chola Dynasty?
Shiva makes the "fear not" mudra.
Shiva is surrounded by a ring of fire.
Shiva stomps on apasmara (symbol of illusion).
Shiva has four arms and two legs.
Shiva is depicted symmetrically.
Shiva is depicted symmetrically.
Shiva is depicted asymmetrically. Three hands gesture to his right while one hand gestures to his left. In addition, his left leg is raised to his right while his other leg is rooted firmly to the ground. Shiva's front left hand, which points to his raised left foot, signifies refuge for the troubled soul.
Example Question #13 : Sculpture Beyond European Artistic Traditions
The structure is made out of which of the following materials?
Sandstone
Marble
Diorite
Schist
Clay
Sandstone
Sandstone was one of the most easily obtainable building materials in the region and was often employed in works commissioned by Ashoka.
Image: Great Stupa at Sanchi commissioned by Emperor Ashoka, c. 300 BCE–100 CE. From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanchi#/media/File:Sanchi_Stupa_from_Eastern_gate,_Madhya_Pradesh.jpg.
Example Question #1 : Asian Sculpture
Which other architectural element does The Gates bear resemblance to?
Ionic columns
Art deco architectural style
The Great Wall of China
Japanese Torii gates
Muqarnas in Islamic architecture
Japanese Torii gates
The Gates bears a strong resemblance to Japanese Torii gates. They are often found at the entrance to Shinto shrines, and traditionally Japanese businessmen would buy them to pay tribute to the god Inari (the god of prosperity).
Image accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gates#/media/File:FushimiInariTorii.jpg
Image accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gates#/media/File:Gates_a.jpg
Example Question #1 : Identifying Artists, Works, Or Schools Of Asian Sculpture
What is the largest religious monument in the world and what god does it celebrate?
Angkor Wat, Vishnu
Meenajshi Amman Temple, Meenakshi Amma
Angkor Wat, Brahma
Akshardham, Nataraja
Akshardham, Shiva
Angkor Wat, Vishnu
Angkor Wat, meaning City Temple, is the world's largest religious monument. It is located in Siem Reap, Cambodia. It was built for Vishnu, a main Hindu god.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Artists, Works, Or Schools Of Asian Sculpture
In order to be a conqueror in the afterlife, as he was in living life, Qin Shihuang (the First Emperor) built a tomb filled with what?
Jade jewelry
Gold and silver ornaments
All of these
Mercury
Terracotta warriors
All of these
The mausoleum the First Emperor built in the Qin Dynasty was filled with over 7,000 terracotta statues of warriors, horses, and chariots. Archeologists also found jade jewelry and gold and silver ornaments. High levels of mercury were found in the mausoleum and indicate that it ran in troughs all throughout the building.
Example Question #1 : Asian Sculpture
The work shown here was created out of __________________.
bronze
gold
stone
marble
bronze
Bronze has an advantage in casting an intricate sculpture compared to other metals in that it is easy to pour into a mold, yet is also extremely durable. The Chola dynasty artists of southern India frequently used bronze to create religious icons which needed both intricate details and an amount of portability for worship purposes. A wax casting technique was employed to allow for artists to create fine elements in elements in wax, then creating a mold which can have hot liquid bronze poured into it.
Image is in the public domain accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shiva_as_the_Lord_of_Dance_LACMA_edit.jpg
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