AP Art History : Ancient Through Medieval Sculpture
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Art History
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Early Christian, Byzantine, And Early Medieval Sculpture
Pictured above is the Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, originally from Rome.
The stylistic elements of the sarcopagus most aptly reflect __________.
an early Christian-Roman motif
themes of suffering and redemption
Near Eastern cultural influence
late imperial work
an early Christian-Roman motif
The figures are done in a Roman style, but reflect images of Christ and other Christian peoples, suggesting a blending of cultures.
Example Question #1 : Understanding Terminology That Describes Early Christian, Byzantine, And Early Medieval Sculpture
What is included in a pilgrimage type church, such as St. Sernin in Toulouse?
Double side aisles
All of the other answers are correct
Radiating chapels
Longer nave
Tribune
All of the other answers are correct
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 #2 : Understanding Terminology That Describes Early Christian, Byzantine, And Early Medieval Sculpture
What is a "reliquary"?
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
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
"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 #3 : Understanding Terminology That Describes 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.
relief art
diptych painting
mosaic art
ivory art
portraiture
mosaic art
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 #4 : Understanding Terminology That Describes Early Christian, Byzantine, And Early Medieval Sculpture
A "mandorla" in Romanesque sculpture is _________________.
the vertical stone between the main entrance doors
a musical stringed instrument similar to a small harp
an oval of light
a sea monster in the nether regions
an oval of light
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."
Example Question #1 : Answering Other Questions About Early Christian, Byzantine, And Early Medieval Sculpture
Pictured above is the Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, originally from Rome.
The columns are in what style?
Corinthian
Etruscan
Ionic
Doric
Corinthian
The columns sport the leaves of an acanthus plant, which is stylistically representative of the Corinthian order.
Example Question #1 : Answering Other Questions About Early Christian, Byzantine, And Early Medieval Sculpture
Pictured above is the Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, originally from Rome.
The work was comissioned by __________.
A Christian Roman politician
A young Roman senator
An ancient Roman emperor
A church bishop
A Christian Roman politician
Junius Bassus was a powerful senator, and the owner of this work. He must have had enough wealth and influence to commission such a work for his death, and he must have been Christian to justify the imagery. He was not a Roman Emperor, and certainly not an "ancient" one, which typically refers to a period about a thousand years before Bassus lived.
Example Question #1 : Answering Other Questions About Early Christian, Byzantine, And Early Medieval Sculpture
Pictured above is the Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, originally from Rome.
All of the following can be found in the work EXCEPT __________.
Roman imperial stylistic influence in the figural elements
visuals of the most prominent Christian stories
the first images of nude female forms
the dichotomy of Roman and Christian stylistic elements
the first images of nude female forms
Female figures have been nude almost since the beginning of figurative art. They are not new to the Romans, although they are seen less often.
Example Question #2 : Answering Other Questions About Early Christian, Byzantine, And Early Medieval Sculpture
Pictured above is the Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, originally from Rome.
The work would have been placed in __________.
the ground.
a Christian mausoleum.
a Roman forum.
a pagan temple.
a Christian mausoleum.
The Christian motif is clear on the work, indicating it would have been on display in a Christian burial place. A sarcophagus would not have been placed in the ground, and this one is not pagan in nature.
Example Question #3 : Answering Other Questions About Early Christian, Byzantine, And Early Medieval Sculpture
Pictured above is the Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, originally from Rome.
The time in which this work was produced was also a time of __________.
Macedonian conflict with the Nordic peoples
Roman imperial northern expansion
religious change in the Roman Empire
War with the Insular Celts
religious change in the Roman Empire
The sarcophagus was made in the middle of the fourth century, just as Chrisitanity began to reshape the Roman Empire and split it into two conflicting Christian worlds.
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