All AP Art History Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #776 : Ap Art History
Image by Arian Zwegers from Brussels, Belgium (Sanchi, Stupa 1, western gateway) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons. <https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/Sanchi%2C_Stupa_1%2C_western_gateway_%289839922393%29.jpg>.
The Great Stupa at Sanchi is _________________.
a monastery that houses monks
a religious structure that protects relics
an imperial pleasure palace
a funerary monument honoring the emperor
a covered bathing complex
a religious structure that protects relics
Commissioned by the emperor Ashoka during the 3rd century BCE, the Great Stupa at Sanchi was constructed to house the relics of the Buddha and is the oldest known stone structure in India.
Image by Arian Zwegers from Brussels, Belgium (Sanchi, Stupa 1, western gateway) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons. <https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/Sanchi%2C_Stupa_1%2C_western_gateway_%289839922393%29.jpg>.
Example Question #1 : Near Eastern Sculpture
What was the function of The Stele of Hammurabi?
It told the origin story of the sun god, Shamash
It issued a warning to any potential invaders to turn back, or else face Hammurabi's army
It contained a listing of all of the people who lived in Hammurabi's kingdom
It listed a code of laws for the people under Hammurabi's rule to follow
It gave directions to the nearest kingdoms
It listed a code of laws for the people under Hammurabi's rule to follow
The Stele of Hammurabi lists out a code of laws for the people of Babylon to follow. There are over 300 law entries written out in the work.
Image is in the public domain, accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_of_Hammurabi#/media/File:Milkau_Oberer_Teil_der_Stele_mit_dem_Text_von_Hammurapis_Gesetzescode_369-2.png
Example Question #182 : Sculpture
Which one of the following cannot be found in the Palette of King Narmer?
Hieroglyphic inscription
Animal symbolism
Hieratic scale
Atmospheric perspective
Composite pose
Atmospheric perspective
Hieratic scale is demonstrated by Narmer's overwhelming stature in comparison to the figures around him. Phonetic hieroglyphs at the center top of each side identify the name of the king. The bull symbolizes the power of the king. Many figures are portrayed in the composite pose: heads and legs are shown in profile while eyes and torsos are rendered frontally.
Example Question #2 : Near Eastern Sculpture
What medium was known for producing the Egyptian Blue sculptures of Ancient Egypt?
Faience
Ceramic
Terracotta
Lapis Lazuli
Turquoise
Faience
Faience is the glazed medium that is responsible for the Egyptian Blue found in many Egyptian sculptures. Though Lapis Lazuli is known for its ultramarine color, similar to faience, it was not used often due to its scarcity.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Artists, Works, Or Schools Of Near Eastern Sculpture
Who are the two people depicted in The Stele of Hammurabi?
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_of_Hammurabi#/media/File:Milkau_Oberer_Teil_der_Stele_mit_dem_Text_von_Hammurapis_Gesetzescode_369-2.png)
Shamash, the king, and the sun god Hammurabi.
Alexander the Great, and the sun god Trajan.
Tutankhamen, the king, and the sun god Amun-Ra.
Sargon, the king, and the sun god Ashur.
Hammurabi, the king, and the sun god Shamash.
Hammurabi, the king, and the sun god Shamash.
Depicted in this stele are the king, Hammurabi, and the sun god, Shamash. Shamash is shown here delivering the text of the message on the stele to Hammurabi.
Example Question #183 : Sculpture
What culture was The Stele of Hammurabi associated with?
Aztecs
Babylonians
Egyptians
Persians
Assyrians
Babylonians
The Stele of Hammurabi is associated with the Babylonians, and dates back to 1792-1750 BCE.
Image is in the public domain, accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_of_Hammurabi#/media/File:Milkau_Oberer_Teil_der_Stele_mit_dem_Text_von_Hammurapis_Gesetzescode_369-2.png
Example Question #3 : Near Eastern Sculpture
What is this object called?
A stele
A ziggurat
Cuneiform writing
A cella
An apadana
A stele
This is a stele, or a stone slab used as a site marker. This particular one (The Stele of Hammurabi) was put in a centralized meeting spot in town so that all could read its message.
Image in the public domain, accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_of_Hammurabi#/media/File:Milkau_Oberer_Teil_der_Stele_mit_dem_Text_von_Hammurapis_Gesetzescode_369-2.png
Example Question #1 : Oceanian Sculpture
The large statues made from volcanic ash known as moai are found on __________.
Easter Island
the Hawaiian Islands
Christmas Island
Samoa
Easter Island
The moai of Easter Island are the small eastern Polynesian Island's most famous monuments, 887 statues with giant heads that are placed all around the island. While sharing much in common with other Polynesian sculpture, the remoteness of Easter Island and its intense tribal warfare make these symbolic monuments to ancestors larger and more stylized than other similar pieces of art.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Artists, Works, Or Schools Of Oceanian Sculpture
What were the feathered capes (or cloaks) worn by Hawaiian noble men called?
'i'iwi cape
garments of the gods
nobility cape
'ahu'ula
olona
'ahu'ula
The cloaks were called 'ahu'ula. These were capes made of red, yellow, and black feathers. They were worn during both ceremonies and battles.
Example Question #1 : Answering Other Questions About Oceanian Sculpture
The Malangan figures were not involved in ___________.
birthing rituals
affirming clan group identities
honoring the dead
negotiating land rights
birthing rituals
The Malangan figures were single use sculptures made in an island of Papua New Guinea for malangan, a set of rituals that were used to say goodbye to the dead, affirm clan identities, and negotiate land rights.