All AP Art History Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #881 : Ap Art History
What is considered the simplest arch of Gothic architecture?
The Equilateral arch
The Italian arch
The Flamboyant arch
The Lancet arch
The Depressed arch
The Lancet arch
The Lancet arch is the simplest of all Gothic arches. It is simply composed of a vertically long opening with a pointed tip. Although the Flamboyant, Equilateral, and Depressed arches follow a similar pattern, they all have more complicated designs than the simple Lancet arch, which really is just a long opening ended with a point.
Example Question #13 : Understanding Terminology That Describes Gothic Architecture
__________________ are an architectural attribute that emphasized the great vertical height of Gothic edifices between the 12th and the 16th centuries.
Groups of large windows
Towers and spires
Flamboyant arches
Rose windows
Equilateral arches
Towers and spires
Although arches are decorative and tend to be elongated in nature, the towers and spires of Gothic buildings add real height, and contributed to those buildings having been called the skyscrapers of their time.
Example Question #882 : Ap Art History
The given image showcases which interior architectural attribute of the Gothic period known to allow for large amounts of interior light?
Depressed arches
Rose windows
Spires
Ribbed vaults
Lancet arches
Ribbed vaults
Although different types of arches were often included in ribbed vaults as a decorative measure, the actual architectural element of ribbed vaults was developed to support the weight of the ceiling, and allow for larger and higher windows to be built, which had the effect of brightening the buildings a great deal.
Image from Wikipedia Image Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Voûte_musée_de_Cluny001.JPG
Example Question #15 : Understanding Terminology That Describes Gothic Architecture
The flying buttress, most commonly seen as an attribute of Gothic architecture, is best described as ________________.
an architectural attribute meant to scare peasant worshipers into heading the word of God
an architectural attribute that comes in different styles, such as Flamboyant, Depressed, and Equilateral
None of these
an architectural attribute that is both decorative and functional, as it is used to resist the force from the lateral wall of an edifice, such that the edifice is more stable
a decorative statue used to divert water away from the building it's constructed on
an architectural attribute that is both decorative and functional, as it is used to resist the force from the lateral wall of an edifice, such that the edifice is more stable
The flying buttress is both decorative and architecturally essential for Gothic-style buildings. It is used to support the walls of the building by resisting the force of the sides under the weight of the ceiling. As such, the walls do not need to be as thick, and there is more material that can be used for decorative measures, rather than reinforcement. The flying buttress came to be used heavily during the Gothic period, and is nearly an essential piece of any large building built between the 12th and the 16th centuries, and beyond.
Example Question #15 : Understanding Terminology That Describes Gothic Architecture
Which element of Chartres Cathedral's exterior is unusual for a Gothic Cathedral?
A flamboyant steeple
A rose window
Statuary of saints and Biblical figures
Flying buttresses
A flamboyant steeple
When Chartres Cathedral was first built between 1194 and 1250 it was a highly representative example of the Gothic architectural form then in vogue in Western Europe. As such, it included a stained glass rose window above its entryway, flying buttresses along its side, and a wide variety of statues depicting theologically important figures such as saints or Biblical characters. Today, an obvious anachronism exists in the form of a Flamboyant steeple rising to a striking point on one tower, which comes from the early sixteenth century and looks out of place on the more rigid and ornate Gothic building
Example Question #91 : Ancient Through Medieval Architecture
The ______________ is the area of a church reserved for singers and clergy.
choir
clerestory
nave
apse
choir
The choir of a church is the area reserved for singers and clergy; sometimes it is also called a chancel. The choir is usually located in the east end of the church, between the main altar and the apse. It is separated from the nave so that the members of the clergy could remain separate from the rest of the congregation.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Artists, Works, Or Schools Of Gothic Architecture
This building is in __________.
Amsterdam
London
Paris
Milan
Paris
This is Notre Dame de Paris, the chief cathedral and one of the most famous landmarks in Paris, France. Notre Dame was the seat of the Archbishops of Paris.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Artists, Works, Or Schools Of Gothic Architecture
Which of the following churches is NOT an example of Gothic architecture?
Hagia Sophia
Westminster Abbey
Lincoln Cathedral
Notre Dame Cathedral
Rouen Cathedral
Hagia Sophia
Beginning in the twelfth century in Europe, Gothic architecture dominated the building of churches across the continent, with its massive facades, extreme buliding heights, and ornate stone work. This style was used both in new churches like Rouen Cathedral and Lincoln Cathedral, and also in the rebuilding and renovation of structures, as with both Westminster Abbey and Notre Dame Cathedral. This was not the only church style, however, as the Greek churches developed their own massive church architectural style, exemplified by the Hagia Sofia in Constantinople (present day Istanbul).
Example Question #2 : Identifying Artists, Works, Or Schools Of Gothic Architecture
The previous images are all public domain and can be found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Cathedral.
The images above are of what kind of building?
A Roman baptistry
A royal Church of Britain
A Catholic Cathedral
A Shiite mosque
A Catholic Cathedral
This is the Florence Cathedral, a Catholic entity. This can been seen in a number of ways. The dome is particularly telling, as is the facade, which features a rose window. Both of these things are characteristics of catholic churches, which were being built in grander and grander style at the height of the gothic and Renaissance movements. Take special note of how the church looms over the neighboring buildings; at the time of its building, the Catholic church was the strongest entity in the land, and the buildings reflected that.
Example Question #4 : Identifying Artists, Works, Or Schools Of Gothic Architecture
The Cathedral Notre Dame de Paris, with its pointed arches and flying buttresses, is a good example of which style of architecture?
Religious
Baroque
Gothic
Medieval
Romanesque
Gothic
Notre Dame has many of the typical features of Gothic cathedrals and differs from Romanesque cathedrals, which lack the height, light, and pointed arches of the Gothic style.
"Medieval" and "Religious" are too vague to be considered styles of architecture, and the Baroque period came centuries after construction on Notre Dame began.