Art History Exam 1

Paleolithic

-30,000-9000 BCE -Paleo: "old" + Lithos: "stone" -Pre-historic -Materials included stone, shell, ivory -Emphasis on animals, hunting, women, and fertility -This is where the first sculptures and paintings that predated the invention of writing by tens of thousands of years -Their decision to represent the world around them is what started an intellectual revolution -These people were hunter gathers so perhaps they believed making these objects would bring them fortune such as food and children -Work's range in size from tiny figurines to painted walls and ceilings of the caves that were discovered -The artists always depicted animals in a profile so they were able to represent the entire body and this style of painting persisted for a millennia

Amulet

-A device to ward off evil and promote rebirth -Placed within the bandages or on the corpse

Registers or bands

-A horizontal level in a work that consists of several levels arranged one above the other, especially where the levels are separated by lines -In sculpture and paintings

Rosetta Stone

-A huge stone slab inscribed in 3 sections: 1 in Greek, 1 in demotic (Late Egyptian) and 1 in informal hieroglyphic -Key to deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic writing

Motif

-A recurring theme, subject or idea -Agean's met via trade and warfare, and as a result of their trade and warfare we see the dispersion of motifs -These are transferred and reused through the trading groups involved in the crossroad of cultures

Mastaba

-An ancient Egyptian mudbrick tomb with a rectangular base and sloping sides and flat roof -Had a burial tomb and a chapel

Krater

-Ancient Greek vessels for mixing -Tend to have large openings at the top -A grave or funerary marker

Neolithic

-Around 9000-4000 BCE -Climate changes: warmer temps; rising sea levels; animals migrated, some became extinct, others were domesticated -Agriculture and stock raising (animal husbandry) became primary food sources -This period began to see sculpture and painted plaster figurines as well as monumental stone architecture -In painting, specifically narratives, became common and artists began to represent the human figure in partial frontal and profile views -This style also would remain prevalent for a long time

Relief Sculpture

-Attached to its background -Common on the walls of stone buildings in ancient Egypt, Assyria , and other Middle Eastern cultures -Laussel Woman is one of the earliest known types of this sculpture

Fresco Secco

-Dry Fresco -Artists let plaster dry before painting on it

Sculpture in the Round

-Freestanding -Type of sculpture in which the figures are presented in complete three-dimensional form and are not attached to a flat background -Principal types are statues, busts, and sculptural groups -Can be viewed either from one definite or several vantage points -The Willendorf and Hohlenstein-stadel figures are examples

Scarabs

-Gems in the shape of beetles -Most important amulets placed on heart during mummification -Spells were written on them to ensure that the heart would not testify against the deceased at judgement time

Kouros

-Greek word for "male youth." -An Archaic Greek statue of a standing, nude youth

Tholos Tomb

-In Mycenaean architecture, a beehive-shaped tomb with a circular plan -Encloses six deep shafts that served as tombs for the kings and their families

Ka

-In ancient Egypt -They believed that from birth, people possessed this kind of other self -Upon death of the body, this other self could inhabit the corpse and live on

Agricultural Revolution

-Neolithic Age -Agriculture began developing -Cultures became less nomadic and started developing cities and settlements

True Fresco

-Painting on wet plaster -Enabled slower and more meticulous work

Landscape

-Picture of a natural setting in its own right, without any narrative content -Painting of volcanic eruption in one of the older rooms at the Çatal Höyük is considered to be the first landscape

Votive Figures/Votive

-Shrines to the god's with statues of mortals honoring the god's -Where they placed offerings representing the donor's of the god's gifts -Sumerians were the first to adopt this practice -Because there were no established traditions for depicting donors, they invented this new pictorial formula

Cueniform

-Simplified pictograph signs that were reduced to a group of wedge-shaped signs read from top to bottom and right to left -Developed by Sumerians in 3000 to 2900 BCE -Marked the beginning of writing

Pictographs

-Simplified pictures standing for words -Typically drawn in boxes or soft clay with a sharp tool or stylus -Developed by the Sumerians in 3400 to 3200 BCE to make inventories of cattle, food, and other items

Palette

-Stone slab with a circular depression -One of the earliest historical artworks preserved

Ziggurat

-Structures dedicated to the city states gods and goddesses with temples on top -Where citizens would bring their contributions to the temple complexes

Mesopotamia

-Sumer -Urk was one of the earliest cities established in 3500 BCE -"Land between two rivers" Tigris and Euphrates -Foothills surrounding the Mesopotamian valley formed a huge arc from the mountainous boarder between Turkey and Syria through Iraq to Iran's Zagro's mountains -Called the Fertile Cresent -Presumed location of the Garden of Eden -Gave birth to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

City States

-Sumer was the first to divide into city states -Each usually had one or two patron gods or goddesses -Easy to conquer because they were so divided

Goddess Inanna

-Sumerian goddess of love and war -Later known as Ishtar -Most important female deity in all of Mesopotamian history -As early as the fourth millennium BCE, the Sumerians constructed a sanctuary to her at Urk in the shape of a white marble female head

Wedjat

-The Eye of Horus -Associated with healing and protection -Type of amulet

Metaphor for a Successful Hunt

-Ti watching a Hippopotamus HuntPredynastic and Old Kingdom (3000-2190 BC) -Was a metaphor for triumph over evil, Hierarchy of Scale, and Maintaining Egyptian conventions

Repousse

-Used to fashion the masks Schliemann found -Goldsmiths hammered the shape of each mask from a single sheet of metal and pushed the features out from behind

Narrative

Art that tells a story either as a moment in an ongoing story or as a sequence of events unfolding over time

Stele

Carved stone slab constructed to commemorate a historical event, or in some cultures, to mark a grave

Twisted Perspective

Created by showing most of the animal's body in profile, but turning a portion of the animal's head so that it seems to point directly at the viewer

Additive/Subtractive Sculpture

Either the adding of/ or taking away of material

True or False In Ancient Mesopotamia the preferred rendering of humans and animals was highly realistic, never stylized, and they did not like to use composite or profile views.

False

Composite View

Frontal torso, profile head, arms, and legs

Necropolis

Greek city of the dead

Hieroglyphs

Pictures and other written symbols that stand for ideas, things, or sounds

Hierarchy or Scale in Mesopotamia

Representing the size of things according to their importance

Megaliths

Structure employing large stones

Canon

System of proportions to the human figure

Profile View

The only view of an animal wherein the head, body, tail, and all four legs are visible.

True or False Hierarchy of scale is a convention that was developed in Ancient Mesopotamia and Persia as a way to show which character is the key player in scene.

True

True or False The Sumerians were responsible for many developments in the ancient world that helped to further later societies, even our own.

True

True or False There are similarities between Bull-headed Harp and the Standard of Ur.

True

Kore

Young woman

What is cuneiform and why is it important? a. Cuneiform is part of the first style of that was developed in Ancient Mesopotamia. This truly remarkable development is a great example of the early sophistication coming out of the ancient near east and was part of the larger story of the Sumerians being highly sophisticated. b. Cuneiform is part of the first hieroglyphics to be developed in Ancient Egypt.Truly remarkable to come out of this region and be part of the larger story of the Sumerians. c. Cuneiform was developed in Ancient Mesopotamia as a way to communicated with the dead much like the traditions from Ancient Egypt. This development plays into the Sumerians being highly sophisticated. d. Cuneiform is truly a development of great sophistication coming out of the Ancient Near Eastern religions and played a large role in their development.

a. Cuneiform is part of the first style of that was developed in Ancient Mesopotamia. This truly remarkable development is a great example of the early sophistication coming out of the ancient near east and was part of the larger story of the Sumerians being highly sophisticated.

Which of the following statements best describes the use of cylinder seals? a. Cylinder seals were used to mark possessions, identify ownership, and functioned much like a signature. b. Cylinder seals were worn around the neck often including spells warning of possible outcomes if removed or lost. c. Cylinder seals were plaques placed below the threshold of a home for protection from the evil eye. d. Cylinder seals were used to mark possessions for the deceased to ensure safe passage to the afterlife.

a. Cylinder seals were used to mark possessions, identify ownership, and functioned much like a signature.

The funerary practice of the Mycenaean's, covering the faces of the dead with gold masks, recalls what other culture? a. Egyptians b. Cycladic peoples c. Minoans d. Greeks

a. Egyptians

Which of the following is a palace on Crete? a. Knossos b. Troy c. Tiryns d. Sparta

a. Knossos

Which of the following is the best example of a stele? a. Law Code of Hammurabi b. Presentation offerings to Innana c. Akhenaton, Nefertiti, and three daughters d. Triumph of Shapur I over Valerian

a. Law Code of Hammurabi

Which of the following best describes cuneiform and why it is significant? a. Pictographs are a system of writing developed by the Sumerians in the Ancient Near East which led to cuneiform, a more complex way of writing, and marks the beginning of writing. b. Cuneiform is a system if writing developed by the Sumerians in Egypt and developed out of pictographs which allowed for a more complex way of writing. c. Cuneiform is a system of writing developed by the Egyptians and developed out of the earlier pictographs, both of these help unlock the mysteries of their ancient society. d. Pictographs are a system of writing developed by the Egyptians in the Ancient Near East this led to hieroglyphics, a more complex way of writing, and marks the beginning of writing.

a. Pictographs are a system of writing developed by the Sumerians in the Ancient Near East which led to cuneiform, a more complex way of writing, and marks the beginning of writing.

What is The Epic of Gilgamesh? a. The Epic of Gilgamesh is a collection of ancient poems that describe the stories surrounding an ancient Sumerian king. b. The Epic of Gilgamesh is a vividly to story in five volumes that describes the rise and fall of an ancient Egyptian king. c. The Epic of Gilgamesh is set in the ancient world and describes the Trojan War, which after it was won freed the people of Mesopotamia. d. The Epic of Gilgamesh is a narrative work of visual art that describes the origin story of ancient Mesopotamian religious practices.

a. The Epic of Gilgamesh is a collection of ancient poems that describe the stories surrounding an ancient Sumerian king.

A female figure used as an architectural support (column) is known as a: a. caryatid b. kore c. kouros d. gorgon

a. caryatid

Figures sculpted in the round can be defined a ___________. a. freestanding b. engraved c. high relief d. bas relief

a. freestanding

The statue of Queen Napir-Asu represents a queen and there is an allusion to fertility. Which motif supports this allusion? a. hands crossed over the belly b. upright posture c. patterned gown d. inscription on queen's skirt

a. hands crossed over the belly

The Palette of King Narmer established the convention for state policy represented in art, a policy proclaiming the pharaoh a divine ruler. Which of the following supports this idea? a. larger than life representation of pharaoh b. entwined animals signify his divinity c. pharaoh smiting the enemies of the state d. pharaoh with falcon and bull signify his control of the animal world

a. larger than life representation of pharaoh

In Ancient Mesopotamia hierarchy of scale was a convention which indicated which of the following? a. order of importance b. order of the gods c. the first families d. the power of money

a. order of importance

Early Archaic Greek monumental stone statues followed Egyptian style very closely. This style can be described as _____________________. a. rigidly frontal with the left foot slightly advanced b. rigidly frontal c. rigidly frontal with a twisted torso d. rigidly frontal with the left foot up on toes poised for action

a. rigidly frontal with the left foot slightly advanced

Minoan columns, (Prehistoric Aegean) are distinguished by: a. tapering shape and wide open capitals b. pronounced swelling in the center c. bud-shaped capitals with a refined base d. their highly decorative incised design

a. tapering shape and wide open capitals

Choose the best answer from the following questions. Note all of the details in each option to include design origin etc. a. the Ionic order is typically found on Crete and the Aegean Islands, noted for its decorative qualities. b. the Doric order is typically found on the islands and could be described as visually heavy, with wide open capitals. c. the Ionic order is mainly found on the Greek islands were they appear heavy with wide open capitals topping the column. d. the Doric order, most used on throughout the Greek mainland, is noted for its decorative capitals and transition from the column to the base.

a. the Ionic order is typically found on Crete and the Aegean Islands, noted for its decorative qualities.

From the following option choose the best definition for a city state and why they are important? a. City states were developed in Ancient Egypt as a way to organize small communities that were otherwise completely disconnected but became key to their long standing power. b. City states were first developed in Ancient Mesopotamia, they were each governed independently from each other and had their own gods, rulers, and personalities. They are key evidence to show how developed this region had become. c. City states are key to understanding the early development of this region, but do not display much sophistication or organization overall. d. City states are a great example of how a unified nation like Ancient Mesopotamia and Persia came to become big players on the world stage.

b. City states were first developed in Ancient Mesopotamia, they were each governed independently from each other and had their own gods, rulers, and personalities. They are key evidence to show how developed this region had become.

A large ice mass began to melt around 9000 BCE which sparked a change for the early humans, which of the following statements best fits the link between the two periods a. During the Paleolithic period humans were living as hunter farmers and lived together in the cave sites discovered in Western Europe, the Neolithic periods is marked by a change towards gathering and a hermit like lifestyle. b. During the Paleolithic period humans were living as hunter gatherers and the Neolithic period is marked by a change towards farming and living in communities. c. There is not too much that distinguishes these two periods, both included communal living, farming, and engaging in trade with neighboring communities. d. During the Neolithic period humans were living as hunter farmers and lived together in the cave sites discovered in Western Europe, the Paleolithic period is marked by a change towards communal living and fishing in the newly created bodies of water.

b. During the Paleolithic period humans were living as hunter gatherers and the Neolithic period is marked by a change towards farming and living in communities.

Within the Çatal Höyük settlement a landscape painting was found. Which statement best defines the term landscape? a. It is a picture of a natural setting in its own right with narrative content b. It is a picture of a natural setting in its own right without any narrative content c. It is a picture which must have trees and narrative content d. It is a picture which must have trees and no narrative content

b. It is a picture of a natural setting in its own right without any narrative content

The earliest known example of the use of contrapposto is the sculpture known as the ________. a. Kouros from Tenea b. Kritios Boy c. Diskobolos d. Doryphoros

b. Kritios Boy

What are registers or bands and why are they important? From the following choose the option that does not fit. a. Registers or bands are a way to visually organize images in a way they can be "read" or interpreted, key to the development of visual images to help convey sophisticated ideas. b. Registers or bands are a way to visually organize images in a way they can be interpreted but do not feed into the idea that Mesopotamia was a sophisticated region. c. Registers or bands are a way to organize visual images to the content or meaning of the images can be more easily understood and are a great example of the developments that came from this time and region. d. Registers or bands are a sophisticated way to organize visual information so the meaning can be more easily understood. They create a way to interpret the story or event that helps to deepen our understanding of the importance of this period to history.

b. Registers or bands are a way to visually organize images in a way they can be interpreted but do not feed into the idea that Mesopotamia was a sophisticated region.

The Treasury of Atreus, (Tholos Style) is an excellent example of... a. Mycenaean fortification b. beehive tomb c. Minoan sarcophagus d. temple treasury

b. beehive tomb

What form of arch is above the lintel of the Lion Gate? a. barrel arch b. corbelled arch c. triangular arch d. pointed arch

b. corbelled arch

The open-eyed stares of the votive statues Statuettes of Two Worshipers of Ancient Sumer are thought to represent: a. portraits of the general population b. eternal wakefulness and duty c. vigilance against demons d. the priestly class

b. eternal wakefulness and duty

One of the suggested purposes for the cave paintings at Altamira, Spain is thought to have been: a. decoration for the cave b. insurance for their survival c. the creation myth of the tribal chief d. a record of the previous season's kills

b. insurance for their survival

Which of the following may be the best explanation for the portrayal of Akhenaton's body type? a. he was cursed by the priests of Amen b. it was meant to represent the sexless sun disk god Aton c. no experienced artists would work for him d. a plot hatched by the priesthood of Amen to make him look foolish

b. it was meant to represent the sexless sun disk god Aton

A standing figure of a young man is known in Ancient Greek art as which of the following? a. kore b. kouros c. Ka d. stele

b. kouros

Sumerians may have been the first to use pictures to tell coherent stories. What argument makes this a valid assertion? a. narrative presented with haphazard figures b. narrative presented in registers or bands c. narrative presented in squares or boxes d. narrative presented with same-size figures

b. narrative presented in registers or bands

The most significant transformation of the human condition was a result of __________. a. the discovery of fire b. the agricultural revolution c. the discovery of the potter's wheel d. the domestication of the dog

b. the agricultural revolution

What is significant about the use of animal images in Ancient Mesopotamia? Which of the following is not true. a. Animal imagery was used to express fertility and abundance. b. Animal images included that of domesticated animals but bore little significance due to their domestication which showed significant weakness on the animals part. c. Animal images were used to convey many things in the ancient world, often animals were used as symbols of power. When used the power of the animal would be appropriated.

c. Animal images were used to convey many things in the ancient world, often animals were used as symbols of power. When used the power of the animal would be appropriated.

The Human with Feline Head was found in _________. a. France b. Belgium c. Germany d. Spain

c. Germany

Spring Fresco is the first pure landscape. Which of the following best defines landscape? a. It has no humans and a narrative element. b. It has a narrative element. c. It has no humans and no narrative element. d. It has no humans.

c. It has no humans and no narrative element.

The Rosetta Stone was a discovery which allowed which of the following... a. Upon its' discovery the Far East began to flow into Egypt and buy costly textiles. b. This stone held key information which allowed the Egyptian leaders to defeat the Romans. c. The stone's discovery was a huge factor to unlocking the mysteries of ancient Egypt. d. Its discovery finally allowed historians to decipher ancient painting techniques.

c. The stone's discovery was a huge factor to unlocking the mysteries of ancient Egypt.

An amphora could best be described as... a. a vessel used for ceremony. b. a vessel used to store oil poured on a body as part of a burial ritual. c. a vessel with two handles meant to store liquid. d. a vessel with two handles so it could easily be placed at a grave site

c. a vessel with two handles meant to store liquid.

In Ancient Greece temples were built in an elevated place in the city. The term for this is__________________. a. a necropolis b. a polis c. an acropolis d. a crop circle

c. an acropolis

Which of the following describes one of the drawbacks of the fresco secco (dry) technique? a. colors fused to the wall surface b. fresco secco is more durable than true fresco c. colors do not fuse to the wall surface d. application of paint must be done quickly

c. colors do not fuse to the wall surface

What is the subject matter seen on the largest dagger found in the tomb from Grave Circle A? a. king riding in a chariot b. king killing enemies c. hunters attacking lions d. king making a libation

c. hunters attacking lions

It has been suggested that cycladic figurines, (Figurine of a Woman & Male Lyre Player) were funerary offerings. Based on their schematized representation and size, how might they have been placed in the graves? a. standing by the sarcophagus b. placed facing the sun's rays c. placed on their backs d. suspended from the sarcophagus

c. placed on their backs

In ancient Greece a painting method was employed on many of the statues and temples, which of the following best describes this method. a. the method used is when pigment is mixed with plaster and applied quickly b. the method used is when pigment is mixed on a palette for easy application as the sun was always an issue c. the method used is when pigment is mixed with wax then applied to the surface d. the method used is when wax is mixed with plaster as it adheres to surface of the stone quickly

c. the method used is when pigment is mixed with wax then applied to the surface

Which of the following provided the greatest source of information regarding the reconstruction of ancient Egyptian civilization? a. detailed hieroglyphic records found in the Library of Alexandria b. written accounts from ancient Greek visitors c. tomb interiors d. temples

c. tomb interiors

Minoans coated the rough surface of their rubble walls with a fine white lime plaster that required rapid execution and great skill. Which painting method was used with this type of fabrication? a. watercolor b. fresco secco c. true fresco d. tempera

c. true fresco

The Ancient Greeks loved the "ideal human", transferring this idea to their sculptures, eventually progressing to the point of showing a figure standing at rest -termed Contrapposto. Which of the following statements best fits this term? a. A figure standing at rest whose body is relaxed as it reclines against the pediment. b. A figure shown as a youth with relaxed legs and a tensed upper body. c. A figure with a contradicting pose creating a natural V curve. d. A figure standing with one leg tensed the other leg at rest, creating a natural S curve.

d. A figure standing with one leg tensed the other leg at rest, creating a natural S curve.

An important series of caves with paintings from the Paleolithic period is located in ________. a. Italy b. England c. Germany d. France

d. France

The Mesopotamian king who codified the law and prescribed penalties for infractions was _________. a. Urnanshe b. Innana c. Naram-Sin d. Hammurabi

d. Hammurabi

Which of the following best describes the Venus of Willendorf? a. It is a large Neolithic tomb figure of a woman b. It is a small Paleolithic engraving of a woman c. It is a large Paleolithic rock-cut relief of a woman d. It is a small Paleolithic figurine of a woman

d. It is a small Paleolithic figurine of a woman

The Prehistoric Aegean Lion Gate is the gateway to: a. Tiryns b. Knossos c. Mallia d. Mycenae

d. Mycenae

The ancient Egyptians believed the unification of Egypt took place in a single great event. Which of the following is a record of that great event? a. Saqqara Relief b. Palette of Djoser c. Saqqara Stele d. Palette of Narmer

d. Palette of Narmer

The Ziggurat at Ur can best be described as a: a. Sumerian burial ground b. fortified city-state c. palace for Naram-Sin d. Sumerian temple base

d. Sumerian temple base

Why is Ancient Mesopotamia often referred to as the cradle of civilization? a. Although this is a common way to refer to this region it is not really an accurate description because we see no real evidence of higher civilization here. b. Though this region is called the cradle of civilization it could be speculated that the evidence left behind does not indicate a sophisticated society, all there really is a some old rubble and no examples of life like images with meaning attached. c. Clearly this is a mistake by historians, they must have misinterpreted the ancient artifacts meanings because due to their quality of representation they must have produced by small children. d. This region of the world is referred to as the cradle of civilization due to the complex urban centers and large amounts of detailed artifacts that indicated a sophisticated society.

d. This region of the world is referred to as the cradle of civilization due to the complex urban centers and large amounts of detailed artifacts that indicated a sophisticated society.

A Palette could best be described as_____________________________. a. a layer of soft blankets placed on the ground for sleeping. b. a piece of wood with a circular depression used for mark making in the painting process. c. a glove used to mix paint be applied to the arms and chest to ready for a hunt. d. a stone slab with a circular depression used for mixing pigment to then be be applied to the face

d. a stone slab with a circular depression used for mixing pigment to then be be applied to the face

The Standard of Ur, (War Side/Peace Side), depicts which of the following? a. early example of an official account of the rulers of Sumer b. early example of an official account of import goods c. early example of mythological narrative d. early example of historical narrative

d. early example of historical narrative

Tomb paintings were created in which of the following techniques? a. oils b. encaustic c. tempera d. fresco secco

d. fresco secco

Megalithic monuments are found throughout Europe, but which monument type is almost entirely limited to Britain? a. huge stones arranged in a diamond b. huge stones arranged in a straight line c. huge stones arranged in a triangle d. huge stones arranged in a circle

d. huge stones arranged in a circle

Which of the following best describes the purpose of the pyramids? Think about the prime reason, though there are many, there is one that truly sent a message to the people of Egypt. a. it served as a reminder of the existence of the Ka. b. it provided work for the powerful mason guild c. it served as a platform for the priests of Amen to gain followers d. served as a reminder of the absolute power of the pharaoh

d. served as a reminder of the absolute power of the pharaoh

Tomb interiors often included hunting scenes. These are associated with the idea of providing provisions for the ka, and it is also a metaphor for which of the following? a. triumph over life b. triumph of the soul to survive judging c. triumph of the gods d. triumph over evil

d. triumph over evil

Repousse is a method... a. where the features are pushed from behind creating an image from multiple sheets of metal. b. typically used by the ancient Mycenaean's to celebrate a victory when the mask was worn in the streets. c. where the features are hammered at an angle producing a life-like appearance. d. used by metal workers to produce a image from a single sheet of metal pushing the features from the back.

d. used by metal workers to produce a image from a single sheet of metal pushing the features from the back.