Survey of Art and Culture Study Guide
b. The figures in one painting are more clearly rendered and detailed than in the other.
How do these two Impressionist paintings compare? a. Both paintings are portraits. b. The figures in one painting are more clearly rendered and detailed than in the other. c. Only one painting portrays a street scene. d. Trees appear in both of the paintings.
c. The decoration on the walls extends to the ceiling in both.
How do these two rooms compare to each other? a. Both appear to be circular. b. The walls in both are bare and lack decoration. c. The decoration on the walls extends to the ceiling in both. d. Decoration extends to the ceiling in only one of the rooms.
c. The group of women on the right is composed of curves, whereas the group of men on the left has more straight lines.
How does the arrangement of the group of women on the right compare to the group of men on the left? a. The group of women on the right stand at a higher level than the group of men on the left. b. Both groups of figures stand upright and form straight, converging lines. c. The group of women on the right is composed of curves, whereas the group of men on the left has more straight lines. d. The group of women on the right is located in a different space compared to the group of men on the left.
c. In one of the paintings, figures wear robes that hang down in a naturalistic manner.
How have the artists depicted the figures in these two paintings? a. Both paintings include nude figures. b. Figures in both works appear to float above ground. c. In one of the paintings, figures wear robes that hang down in a naturalistic manner. d. All of the figures in both paintings stand solidly on the ground.
c. Their limbs form converging vertical and diagonal lines.
This image is Artemisia Gentileschi's Judith Slaying Holofernes. How has the artist arranged the three figures in this painting? a. They stand upright in a single row. b. Their limbs form lines that are parallel to one another. c. Their limbs form converging vertical and diagonal lines. d. The figures occupy separate zones in the space.
c. Tilman Riemenschneider
This unpainted retable was painted by which artist? a. Veit Stoss b. Martin Schongauer c. Tilman Riemenschneider d. Konrad Witz
D. Converging orthogonals
What does Vermeer use to direct the viewer's gaze to the allegorical focus of his painting Woman Holding a Balance? a. Focused light b. Bright color c. Mirror's reflection d. Converging orthogonals
d. William Hogarth
Which English artist used his paintings to translate contemporary literary forms mocking societal issues into the visual arts? a. Thomas Gainsborough b. Henry Fielding c. Sir Joshua Reynolds d. William Hogarth
C. Lucas Cranach the Elder
Which German artist is referred to by the title "painter of the Reformation"? a. Albrecht Dürer b. Matthias Grünewald c. Lucas Cranach the Elder d. Hans Holbein
c. Peace of Westphalia
Which agreement ended the Thirty Years' War in 1648? a. Council of Trent b. Edict of Nantes c. Peace of Westphalia d. Treaty of Habsburg
c. Louis Henry Sullivan
Which architect designed elegantly ornamented yet functional commercial buildings such as the Guaranty Building in Buffalo and the Sullivan Center in Chicago? a. Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel b. Cass Gilbert c. Louis Henry Sullivan d. Henry Hobson Richardson
d. Marie de' Medici
Which aristocratic patron hired Peter Paul Rubens to paint a series of historical-allegorical works for the Luxembourg palace in Paris? a. Henry IV b. Fernando de' Medici c. Charles I d. Marie de' Medici
B. Santa Maria Novella
Which church is home to Masaccio's Holy Trinity mural? a. Santissima Annunziata b. Santa Maria Novella c. Santa Maria del Carmine d. Santa Trinità
a. Competition panel, San Giovanni
Which description best describes the work shown here? a. Competition panel, San Giovanni b. Door panel, Siena Cathedral c. Competition panel, Santa Croce d. Door panel, Saint Peter's, Rome
d. The background of the scene is plunged into complete darkness.
Which of the following best describes the representation of light in this painting? a. The lighting throughout the scene is soft, with gentle transitions to shadow. b. The entire scene is brightly and evenly lit. c. The contrasts between light and dark are strong and jarring. d. The background of the scene is plunged into complete darkness.
b. Both figures bow, but the left figure bows lower than the right.
Which of the following best describes the two figures facing each other in the center of the painting? a. Both stand upright, shoulder-to-shoulder. b. Both figures bow, but the left figure bows lower than the right. c. Both figures bow, but the right figure bows lower than the left. d. Both figures face away from each other.
c. In two different groups of figures, arranged one on top of the other
How has the artist arranged the multiple figures in this Spanish altar, or retablo? a. Asymmetrically, with more figures filling the right side of the panel b. Symmetrically, with clothed figures on the right and nude figures on the left c. In two different groups of figures, arranged one on top of the other d. Randomly, with figures dispersed unevenly throughout
B. Caterina van Hemessen
This first-known self-portrait of a woman artist is by which painter? a. Lavinia Fontana b. Caterina van Hemessen c. Catherine of Bologna d. Levina Teerli
A. Rembrandt
Which Netherlandish painter's use of light to reveal subtleties of mood and character had a great influence on the later genres of film and photography? a. Rembrandt b. Rubens c. van Honthorst d. Vermeer
A. Paired columns
Which of the following architectural features are visible in these two buildings? a. Paired columns b. A dome on the roof c. A predominantly horizontal roofline d. A clock in one tower
c. The viewpoint in both is a bird's-eye view from an elevated point.
Which of the following best describes the viewpoint from which these scenes are depicted? a. The viewpoint in one is from overhead, looking straight down on the scene; the other is from ground level. b. The viewpoint in one is an elevated bird's-eye view; the viewpoint in the other is from ground level. c. The viewpoint in both is a bird's-eye view from an elevated point. d. The viewpoint in both is from ground level.
d. In one, the space recedes at a diagonal, from the lower left to the upper right; in the other the space recedes evenly from front to back.
Which of the following best describes these two paintings? a. In one work, the figures are all standing. b. Both scenes open up onto a view of the landscape. c. In both, the table is placed parallel to the front edge of the painting. d. In one, the space recedes at a diagonal, from the lower left to the upper right; in the other the space recedes evenly from front to back.
a. Sculptures are attached throughout the design.
Which of the following best describes this Spanish portal? a. Sculptures are attached throughout the design. b. The surface of the upper section is smooth and flat, with no sculpture. c. Bright color has been applied to the sculptures on the bottom section of the portal. d. The portal contains multiple entryways.
c. Washington is depicted semi-nude and holding a sword.
Which of the following best describes this portrait of George Washington? a. Washington in depicted lying in state. b. Washington is depicted as a standing nude. c. Washington is depicted semi-nude and holding a sword. d. Washington is depicted as a military commander ready for battle.
a. Eagle
What attribute accompanies Saint John in this painting by Poussin? a. Eagle b. Book c. Lion d. Cross
c. Las Meninas
Sargent's technique of applying paint in thin layers reflects the influence on him of which earlier work? a. Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp b. Mrs. Richard Brinsley Sheridan c. Las Meninas d. Conversion of Saint Paul
a. Elaborate, intricate, dynamic
Which of the following best describes the altarpiece pictured here? a. Elaborate, intricate, dynamic b. Simple, flat, two-dimensional c. Abstract, geometric, regular d. Static, horizontal, calm
A. Still lifes
Amid their new economic prosperity, which artistic subject became especially popular among the Dutch middle class? a. Still lifes b. Portraits c. Religious scenes d. Landscapes
d. Rembrandt's Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp
Art historians believe that the American artist Thomas Eakins modeled the The Gross Clinic on what? a. Rosetti's Beata Beatrix b. Blake's Ancient of Days c. Homer's Veteran in a New Field d. Rembrandt's Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp
A. 1600-1650
During what period did English architect Inigo Jones produce most of his works? a. 1600-1650 b. 1550-1600 c. 1650-1700 d. 1500-1550
a. Caravaggio
Georges de la Tour's dramatic use of light in Adoration of the Shepherds suggests his familiarity with the work of which Italian artist? a. Caravaggio b. Leonardo da Vinci c. Guido Reni d. Raphael
C. 100
How many vignettes illustrating proverbs does Pieter Bruegel the Elder include in his painting of the subject? a. 10 b. 1,000 c. 100 d. 50
a. At the foot of the cross
In Masaccio's Holy Trinity, where is the vanishing point? a. At the foot of the cross b. On the face of the crucified Christ c. Above the head of God the Father d. Between the dove and God the Father
D. Poppy
In Rossetti's Beata Beatrix, what did the artist include to commemorate his wife's death? a. Wedding ring b. Book c. White dove d. Poppy
b. Tahiti
The painting Where Do We Come From reflects Gauguin's move to which country? a. Japan b. Tahiti c. Canada d. India
a. Modernism
The tenets of Marxism and Darwinism had a role in the rise of which artistic movement? a. Modernism b. Impressionism c. Art Nouveau d. Arts and Crafts
A. Life-size
What is the size of Levina Teerlinc's portrait Elizabeth I as a Princess? a. Life-size b. Half-life-size c. Wall height d. Miniature
d. Monet
Which artist first made it his artistic practice to omit the preliminary sketch and use premixed pigments? a. Gauguin b. Toulouse-Latrec c. Rodin d. Monet
C. Lucas Cranach the Elder
Which artist provided the illustrations for Luther's translation of the Bible into German? a. Albrecht Dürer b. Matthias Grünewald c. Lucas Cranach the Elder d. Hans Baldung Grien
C. Hugo van der Goes
Which artist served as the dean of the painters' guild of Ghent and worked for Tommaso Portinari? a. Rogier van der Weyden b. Jan van Eyck c. Hugo van der Goes d. Dirk Bouts
d. Gertrude Käsebier
Which artist was a leading practitioner of the pictorial style in photography who became famous for photographs with Symbolist themes? a. Thomas Eakins b. Rosa Bonheur c. Eadweard Muybridge d. Gertrude Käsebier
A. Anthony van Dyck
Which influential painter was court portraitist to Charles I of England? a. Anthony van Dyck b. Franz Hals c. Johannes Vermeer d. Hendrick ter Brugghen
a. Enlightenment
Which movement was a major impetus for political, social, and economic change in the 18th century? a. Enlightenment b. Neoclassicism c. Grand Tour d. Discovery of Pompeii
D. Signorelli
Which of the following artists shows the most interest in depicting the human body in violent action? a. Fra Angelico b. Perugino c. Mantegna d. Signorelli
c. The group of three conversing men stand in the right foreground of the picture.
Which of the following best describes the arrangement of space and figures in this work? a. Christ appears in the foreground of the scene, tied to a column. b. The seated figure observes the flagellation from the exterior. c. The group of three conversing men stand in the right foreground of the picture. d. All of the figures in the painting occupy the same interior space.
b. The foreground scene is brightly lit, and the background is in complete darkness.
Which of the following best describes the artist's use of color and light? a. The lighting is the same in the foreground and the background. b. The foreground scene is brightly lit, and the background is in complete darkness. c. Blue is the predominant color that connects all the elements in the painting. d. The soft lighting lends a hazy effect to the whole scene.
c. One side features abstract circular forms, and the other features rectangular forms.
Which of the following best describes the cloak that surrounds the kissing couple? a. It is depicted as a flat, monochrome form. b. It is decorated with horizontal stripes. c. One side features abstract circular forms, and the other features rectangular forms. d. Abstract triangular forms decorate the entire surface.
c. They face each other and lean to one side.
Which of the following describes the position of the two figures in this sculpture? a. The figures stand shoulder to shoulder. b. They stand erect and face each other. c. They face each other and lean to one side. d. The figures stand back to back.
c. Both display deep landscape scenes, with the sun setting on the horizon toward the right.
Which of the following describes these paintings? a. Both paintings portray individuals actively engaged in a village setting. b. Both paintings portray massive military battles. c. Both display deep landscape scenes, with the sun setting on the horizon toward the right. d. Both scenes contain text panels floating high overhead.
b. The central scenes take place in domestic interiors.
Which of the following describes these two paintings? a. The central scenes both take place in landscape settings. b. The central scenes take place in domestic interiors. c. The scenes in the side panels of both paintings are spatial extensions of the scene in the central panel. d. An angel figures prominently in the central panels of both paintings.
c. Gentile, Adoration of the Magi
Which of the following works is NOT a clear example of linear perspective? a. Ghiberti, Isaac and His Sons b. Perugino, Christ Delivering the Keys of the Kingdom to Saint Peter c. Gentile, Adoration of the Magi d. Donatello, Feast of Herod
d. Bronzino
Which painter created this painting of mother-and-son pair Eleanora of Toledo and Giovanni de' Medici? a. Romano b. Anguissola c. Tintoretto d. Bronzino
D. Voltaire
Which philosopher believed that the betterment of humanity lay in the advancement of science and the rational improvement of society? a. Newton b. Locke c. Rousseau d. Voltaire
a. The figure's curving lines echo the curves in the water and sky.
Which statement describes the depiction of the main figure in this painting? a. The figure's curving lines echo the curves in the water and sky. b. The figure's rectilinear rendering echoes the straight lines of the bridge. c. The figure possesses no facial features. d. The face of the figure is rendered in extremely realistic detail.
A. Voltaire
Who was a leading advocate of the Enlightenment in France? a. Voltaire b. John Locke c. Isaac Newton d. Louis XVI
a. Her garments indicate her family's wealth.
Why does Judith Leyster appear elegantly attired, rather than in an artist's smock as Rembrandt did, in her Self-Portrait? a. Her garments indicate her family's wealth. b. An artist's smock was not worn by women. c. She is demonstrating her ability to paint cloth. d. Her garments indicate she is a married woman.
d. Vanitas
Baldung's oil painting Three Ages of Woman and Death is a commentary on both the inevitability of death and what? a. Nudity b. Greed c. Marriage d. Vanitas
c. Symbolism
Extreme subjectivity and the wish to perceive a deeper reality were typical of which art movement? a. Realism b. Neoclassicism c. Symbolism d. Impressionism
d. William Blake
The metal relief etching entitled Ancient of Days is the work of which leading Romantic artist? a. Francisco Goya b. Thomas Gainsborough c. Henry Fuseli d. William Blake
d. Roman Colosseum
The mixture of orders Leon Battista Alberti uses on the facade of the Palazzo Rucellai reveals his inspiration to be what building? a. Santa Maria Novella b. The Pantheon c. Basilica Nova d. Roman Colosseum
C. Holy Roman Empire
The painting Miraculous Draft of Fish was created in which region? a. Britain b. France c. Holy Roman Empire d. Flander
d. It takes place in an interior space that is open to the exterior.
What is the setting for this scene of the flagellation of Christ? a. It takes place in an open landscape. b. It takes place in a closed interior space. c. It takes place in an enclosed garden. d. It takes place in an interior space that is open to the exterior.
B. Impasto
What term do art historians use to describe the use of rough brushstrokes and thick dabs of pigment to highlight the uneven surface so it catches the light? a. Oil painting b. Impasto c. Sfumato d. Grisaille
b. Stormy and violent
Which of the following best describes this seascape? a. Calm and balanced b. Stormy and violent c. Tranquil and meditative d. Gentle and unthreatening
d. Copies of paintings by Peter Paul Rubens celebrating immortal gods
Which of the following is NOT one of the devices Diego Velázquez used to create visual complexity in Las Meninas? a. Gazes of painter and others looking out of the room at the viewer b. Mirror in back wall showing the viewer of the room c. Ascending staircase beyond room in which artist stands d. Copies of paintings by Peter Paul Rubens celebrating immortal gods
d. Most of the light appears to emanate from Christ.
Which statement accurately describes the depiction of light in this print? a. The scene is evenly lit throughout. b. Most of the light emanates from the doorway at the right side of the scene. c. The foreground of the scene has no shadow. d. Most of the light appears to emanate from Christ.
c. A large part of both paintings is given to the sky.
How do these two landscapes compare to each other? a. Cows are clearly visible in both. b. Human figures are visible in the foreground of both paintings. c. A large part of both paintings is given to the sky. d. Only one painting features buildings.
d. The figures in both are sculpted from white marble.
How do these two marble sculptures compare? a. Both are multifigure. b. Both of the works feature figures reclining on sumptuous furniture. c. In both of the works, the figures are highlighted in color. d. The figures in both are sculpted from white marble.
b. Romanticism
Described as awe mixed with terror, the notion of the sublime had a role in which intellectual movement? a. Positivism b. Romanticism c. Neoclassicism d. Realism
a. Both subjects are portrayed with objects that reflect their identity.
How do these two portraits compare to each other? a. Both subjects are portrayed with objects that reflect their identity. b. Both subjects wear gowns with intricate linear patterns visible throughout. c. Both subjects wear sumptuous costumes with jeweled trimmings. d. Both subjects are portrayed with their faces in strict profile.
c. In one, the Virgin cradles the sleeping Christ child, while in the other, she cradles the adult Christ.
How do the figures of Mary compare in these two works? a. The Virgin's expression in one of the works can be described as joyful, while she appears angry in the other work. b. The robe of the Virgin is colored blue in both works. c. In one, the Virgin cradles the sleeping Christ child, while in the other, she cradles the adult Christ. d. The virgin is smaller in scale than Christ in both works.
b. Only one painting includes an architectural structure at the right side.
How do these Renaissance paintings compare to each other? a. Both paintings include female figures. b. Only one painting includes an architectural structure at the right side. c. Cast shadows are visible in both paintings. d. Only one painting includes a landscape.
B. Barberini
Gian Lorenzo Bernini's baldacchino for Saint Peter's features numerous bees, which were the symbol of which Roman family? a. Medici b. Barberini c. Gonzaga d. Borgia
D. Sentimental narrative
Greuze's Village Bride is an example of which new theme in 18th-century painting, one that appealed to audiences who admired "natural" virtue? a. Fête galante b. Historical episodes c. Wonders of science d. Sentimental narrative
c. Slavery
Géricault's gigantic painting Raft of the Medusa, with its writhing, tortured bodies, is his commentary on which contemporary sociocultural situation? a. Industrial Revolution b. Protestantism c. Slavery d. International trade
a. They are both in profile.
How are the figures depicted in this double portrait? a. They are both in profile. b. They both are depicted frontally. c. One sits at an angle; the other is shown in a profile view. d. The figures are portrayed engaged in different activities.
a. Through modeling with a specific light source outside the picture
How did Masaccio create a sense of bulk in his figures in Tribute Money? a. Through modeling with a specific light source outside the picture b. Through modeling with an identifiable light source within the picture c. Through modeling with several specific light sources within the picture d. Through modeling with a flat neutral light lacking an identifiable source
a. Both buildings incorporate sculpture into the front side, or facade.
In what way are these two Italian Baroque buildings similar? a. Both buildings incorporate sculpture into the front side, or facade. b. Both buildings have horizontal rooflines. c. Both buildings have multiple rows of freestanding columns. d. Both buildings are dominated by domes on the roof.
C. Last Supper
In which work does the Flemish painter Dieric Bouts show an early interest in using linear perspective to create the illusion of depth? a. Justice of Otto III b. Adoration of the Shepherds c. Last Supper d. Beheading of the Count
d. Velázquez
John Singer Sargent's The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit reveals his admiration for which earlier artist? a. Michelangelo b. Titian c. Vermeer d. Velázquez
c. Arts and Crafts
Members of which movement dedicated themselves to producing functional objects with high aesthetic value for a wide public? a. Impressionist b. Post-Impressionist c. Arts and Crafts d. Pre-Raphaelite
a. Neo-Platonism
Michelangelo's design for the twin tombs of Giuliano and Lorenzo de' Medici, never finished, is believed to have been based on which school of thought? a. Neo-Platonism b. Humanism c. Protestantism d. Scholasticism
a. One depicts multiple, different types of horses, and the other depicts one horse multiple times.
One of these works is a painting, and one is a series of photographs. How do they compare? a. One depicts multiple, different types of horses, and the other depicts one horse multiple times. b. Both depict multiple, different types of horses. c. Both works employ color. d. In both of the works, the horses are depicted standing still.
d. Pyramidal grouping
What characteristic compositional technique does Leonardo use to unite the figures in Madonna of the Rocks? a. Circular form b. Foreground line c. Diagonal grouping d. Pyramidal grouping
A. Cast iron
The Coalbrookdale Bridge, built over the Severn River, was the first such structure built from what material? a. Cast iron b. Copper and stone c. Steel and stone d. Brick
d. Joseph Wright of Derby
The Enlightenment notion of "progress" and the scientific revolution are highlighted in the paintings of which artist? a. Jean-Baptiste Greuze b. William Hogarth c. Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin d. Joseph Wright of Derby
d. Soufflot, Panthéon
The Roman ruins of Baalbek in Syria provided the inspiration for what 18th-century building? a. Fischer von Erlach, Karlskirche b. Jefferson, Rotunda c. Stuart, Temple of Theseus d. Soufflot, Panthéon
c. Color
The Romantic sensibility evident in the energy of Joseph Mallord William Turner's landscapes and seascapes relies on the emotive power of which element of his painting style? a. Line b. Light c. Color d. Composition
C. Pantheon
The colonnade of the Roman temple of Jupiter at Baalbek in Lebanon provided the inspiration for what building? a. St Martin-in-the-Fields b. Chiswick House c. Pantheon d. Monticello
d. Georges Seurat
The color theory of 19th-century chemist Michel-Eugène Chevreul had particular influence on which Post-Impressionist artist? a. Paul Cézanne b. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec c. Paul Gauguin d. Georges Seurat
B. Rococo
The conclusion of the debate in the French Royal Academy between advocates of color and advocates of form resulted in the ascendance of which style? a. Baroque b. Rococo c. "Natural" art d. Neoclassicism
a. Catholics and Protestants
The fundamental conflicts underlying the Thirty Years' War arose from ongoing friction between which groups? a. Catholics and Protestants b. Lutherans and Calvinists c. Tudors and Lancasters d. Medicis and Gonzagas
b. Impressionism
The influence of which artistic movement is evident in Rodin's interest in the effect of light on the sculpted surface? a. Realism b. Impressionism c. Symbolism d. Romanticism
b. Third of May, 1808
The results of the Spanish resistance to the invasion of their country by Napoleon's forces are highlighted in which painting by Goya? a. Family of Charles IV b. Third of May, 1808 c. Saturn Devouring One of His Children d. Guernica
D. Borromini
The undulating facade of Balthasar Neumann's Vierzehnheiligen church takes its inspiration from the buildings of which earlier architect? a. Alberti b. Romano c. Palladio d. Borromini
b. Both paintings put a visual emphasis on Christ within the composition.
These paintings both depict the Last Supper. How do they compare? a. Both have only 13 visible figures. b. Both paintings put a visual emphasis on Christ within the composition. c. All the figures at the table are seated on the same side. d. Christ is seated in both paintings.
d. Both paintings create the illusion that the architecture opens to the sky.
These two works are both ceiling paintings meant to be viewed from the floor. How do they compare? a. Only one clearly shows figures who make eye contact with the viewer. b. Flying figures are seen in both paintings. c. Both paintings are circular in shape. d. Both paintings create the illusion that the architecture opens to the sky.
D. Vanitas paintings
What do art historians call still-life compositions that contain at least one memento mori? a. Futility paintings b. Ars moriendi paintings c. Funereal paintings d. Vanitas paintings
c. Arc de Triomphe
François Rude's allegorical sculpture Departure of the Volunteers of 1792 was created to adorn which Parisian monument? a. Eiffel Tower b. Opéra house c. Arc de Triomphe d. Louvre palace
d. Light above the horizon
In Dürer's Melencolia I, what element is interpreted as an optimistic note suggesting that the artist can overcome depression? a. Hanging hourglass b. Tools of the artist c. Banner carried by bat d. Light above the horizon
A. Genre
In Pieter Aertsen's painting Butcher's Stall, the artist embeds religious images within what standard scene type? a. Genre b. Mythological c. Landscape d. Portrait
b. Immortality
In Triumph of the Barberini, the crown of stars to be bestowed on the Barberini family is meant to symbolize what? a. Wealth b. Immortality c. Knowledge d. God's blessing
d. Prefabricated elements
In constructing the Crystal Palace for the Great Exhibition of 1851, what cost-effective innovation did Joseph Paxton employ? a. Undraped concrete b. Load-bearing steel c. Interlocking joinery d. Prefabricated elements
b. Neo-Gothic
The 19th-century revival of historical architectural styles led Barry and Pugin to rebuild the Houses of Parliament in London in what style? a. Beaux-Arts b. Neo-Gothic c. Neo-Baroque d. Greek Revival
b. The picturesque garden
The Neoclassical follies and other monuments created for the estates of English country houses were part of which trend in landscape architecture? a. The zen garden b. The picturesque garden c. The symmetric garden d. The Rubéniste garden
c. Rodin
The leading French sculptor of the later 19th century was which Realist artist? a. Horta b. Eiffel c. Rodin d. Carpeaux
c. One employs multiple colors; the other has one color.
These two works both depict the Virgin Mary with Christ. How do they compare? a. Both works represent multiple figures in addition to Christ and the Virgin. b. Both works contain representations of deep space behind the figures. c. One employs multiple colors; the other has one color. d. A column stands in the background of both works.
A. Pierre Lescot
Which architect oversaw the 16th-century renovations to the Louvre palace and produced the Cour Carrée? a. Pierre Lescot b. Jean Goujon c. Rosso Fiorentino d. Jean Clouet
c. Rounded arches
Which architectural elements are visible in this photograph of the Pazzi Chapel? a. Free-standing round columns b. Pointed arches c. Rounded arches d. A flat roof
a. Cold and desolate
Which of the following best describes this landscape? a. Cold and desolate b. Warm and inviting c. Stormy and violent d. Lush and verdant
a. Limbourg brothers
Who was commissioned by the duke of Berry to produce the work now known as Les Très Riches Heures? a. Limbourg brothers b. Alexander Bening c. Jean Pucelle d. Master of Mary of Burgundy
b. Napoleon Bonaparte
Who was named first consul of the French Republic after leading the French army on several campaigns? a. Maximilien Robespierre b. Napoleon Bonaparte c. Jacques-Louis David d. Camillo Borghese
C. The Catholic Church
Who was the greatest art patron in Cinquecento Italy? a. The government of Rome b. The stonemasons' guild c. The Catholic Church d. The Council of Trent
c. A narrow range of soft colors is used throughout to unify the scene.
How has the artist used color in this scene? a. The scene employs only shades ranging from black to gray to white. b. Starkly contrasting colors are paired to create visual energy. c. A narrow range of soft colors is used throughout to unify the scene. d. A broad range of bright colors creates variety in the scene.
c. Marie Antoinette
In her painted Self-Portrait, whose likeness does Vigée Le Brun show herself painting? a. Madame de Pompadour b. Virgin Mary c. Marie Antoinette d. Her own
d. Depicting pent-up emotion
In his David, rather than concentrating his efforts on achieving the standards of ideal beauty, Michelangelo prioritized what aspect? a. The details of his clothing b. His delicate, slender hands c. His dramatic gestures d. Depicting pent-up emotion
B. Worldly ruler
In his painting, Jean Clouet presents Francis I as what? a. Deeply pious figure b. Worldly ruler c. Humble man d. Revolutionary
D. Rococo setting
In his portrait of Mrs. Richard Brinsley Sheridan, Thomas Gainsborough combines a naturalistic rendering of the sitter with what? a. Detailed realism of setting b. Contrasting dark and light of setting c. Baroque illusionism of setting d. Rococo setting
a. Moralizing reminders of human vices
In northern Europe of this period, the expansion in genre painting—landscapes, portraits, still lifes—was accompanied by what new element? a. Moralizing reminders of human vices b. Overlay of overtly Catholic iconography c. Increase of training in trades depicted d. Interest in depicting foreign lands
c. Degas, The Tub
The incorporation of Japanese aesthetics into European painting, a trend referred to as Japonisme, is evident in which artwork? a. Latrec, At the Moulin Rouge b. Whistler, Nocturne in Black and Gold c. Degas, The Tub d. Renoir, Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette
d. Weaving and bleaching linen
The people shown in the field in van Ruisdael's View of Haarlem from the Dunes at Overveen are engaged in activities related to which Dutch industry? a. Growing flowers from bulbs b. Milling paper from wood c. Producing dairy products d. Weaving and bleaching linen
d. Thomas Eakins
Which American Realist artist, having studied both painting and medicine, believed that careful observation was a prerequisite for his art? a. Henry Ossawa Tanner b. Winslow Homer c. John Singer Sargent d. Thomas Eakins
d. A palette of dirty browns and grays
What did Courbet employ in the The Stone Breakers to convey the dismal nature of manual labor? a. A blend of soft pastels for the stones b. Bright color highlights c. Swirling, diagonal lines d. A palette of dirty browns and grays
b. Both are triptychs, or three-panel paintings.
What do the settings of these two paintings have in common with each other? a. Both are diptychs, or two-panel paintings. b. Both are triptychs, or three-panel paintings. c. Both are single-panel paintings. d. Both paintings are portraits of single figures.
d. A meadow with flowers and trees
What is the setting for this scene of Mary, Jesus, and John the Baptist? a. A craggy landscape with cliffs and mountains b. A walled courtyard c. A piazza in a city d. A meadow with flowers and trees
a. Adoration of the Shepherds
What is the title of this painting by Georges Le Tour? a. Adoration of the Shepherds b. Nativity c. Family of Country People d. Adoration of the Magi
C. Venus of Urbino
What is the title of this painting by Titian, which established the standard for the reclining female nude? a. Sacred and Profane Love b. Isabella d'Este c. Venus of Urbino d. The Tempest
A. Engraving
What method was used to produce this artwork? a. Engraving b. Etching c. Woodcut d. Manuscript illumination
a. The Chartreuse de Champmol in Dijon
What project was endowed by Philip the Bold as a dynastic symbol of the power of the dukes of Burgundy? a. The Chartreuse de Champmol in Dijon b. Saint Bavo Cathedral in Ghent c. The Louvre royal palace in Paris d. The stock exchange in Antwerp
B. A triangle
What shape is formed by the arrangement of these three figures? a. A rectangle b. A triangle c. A square d. A circle
b. Commercial art galleries
Where were many of the early Impressionist paintings displayed? a. Louvre palace b. Commercial art galleries c. French Royal Academy exhibition d. Cathedral of Notre-Dame
c. Denis Diderot
Which 18th-century Enlightenment figure was also a pioneer in the field of art criticism, expressing a preference for naturalism in painting? a. Voltaire b. Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin c. Denis Diderot d. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
b. Mary Cassatt
Which American Impressionist artist painted principally women and children? a. Georges Seurat b. Mary Cassatt c. James Abbott McNeill Whistler d. Berthe Morisot
d. Thomas Eakins
Which American Realist artist who studied both painting and medicine believed that careful observation was a prerequisite for his art? a. Henry Ossawa Tanner b. John Singer Sargent c. Winslow Homer d. Thomas Eakins
a. Antonio Gaudí
Which Art Nouveau architect invented new structural techniques to allow construction of buildings that are sculpted and organic in form? a. Antonio Gaudí b. Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel c. Henry Hobson Richardson d. Joseph Maria Olbrich
A. Joshua Reynolds
Which English painter specialized in Grand Manner portraiture focusing on individuals who had played significant roles in critical events such as the American Revolution? a. Joshua Reynolds b. William Hogarth c. Thomas Gainsborough d. John Singleton Copley
a. East facade of the Louvre
Which French building of the 17th century resembles a classical temple front with the sides spread out next to it like wings? a. East facade of the Louvre b. Palace of Versailles c. Palais du Luxembourg d. Église du Dôme
b. Annibale Carracci
Which Italian Baroque painter trained in his native Bologna and produced a series of frescoes for the gallery ceilings of the Palazzo Farnese? a. Pietro da Cortona b. Annibale Carracci c. Caravaggio d. Artemesia Gentileschi
B. Florence
Which Italian city played the most important role in the development of Renaissance ideas and art forms in the early 15th century? a. Venice b. Florence c. Siena d. Rome
a. Gustave Courbet
Which Realist painter relies on a naturalistic style that does not romanticize or idealize the everyday lived realities that his contemporary subjects endured? a. Gustave Courbet b. Théodore Géricault c. Édouard Manet d. Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres
a. Royal Pavilion, Brighton
Which Romantic-style building is a conglomeration of Islamic domes, minarets, and screens that has been called "Indian Gothic"? a. Royal Pavilion, Brighton b. Paris Opéra, Paris c. Altes Museum, Berlin d. Houses of Parliament, London
c. Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel
Which architect designed the interior support frame (armature) of the State of Liberty? a. Antonio Gaudí b. Henri Labrouste c. Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel d. Joseph Paxton
c. A rounded element—one has a round dome, and the other has a rounded corner
Which architectural elements do these two buildings share? a. Massive, free-standing columns b. A triangular element topping a row of columns c. A rounded element—one has a round dome, and the other has a rounded corner d. Flat rooflines
a. Auguste Rodin
Which artist argued that art is truthful and photographs lie? a. Auguste Rodin b. William Morris c. Claude Monet d. Antonio Gaudí
d. Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin
Which artist illustrated the views of Rousseau by painting quiet scenes of domestic life that honored the simple goodness of ordinary people? a. Jean-Baptiste Greuze b. William Hogarth c. Jean-Antoine Houdon d. Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin
B. The naked figure of Isaac
Which classical reference is visible on Ghiberti's Sacrifice of Isaac panel? a. The flowing drapery of Isaac b. The naked figure of Isaac c. The elongated S curve of Isaac's body d. The pose of Abraham
C. Curved surfaces
Which element of Italian Baroque architecture is missing from the Église du Dôme? a. Bays framed by columns b. Dramatic size of dome c. Curved surfaces d. Grouping of the order
B. Trade
Which income-producing activity accounts for Dutch middle-class prosperity the 17th century? a. Weaving b. Trade c. Agriculture d. Mining
d. Color and placement emphasize the center figure in the top group.
Which of the choices best describes this Spanish altar, or retablo? a. All the figures are depicted nude. b. The retablo is brightly colored in the lower half and monochrome in the top half. c. All of the figures have wings. d. Color and placement emphasize the center figure in the top group.
b. In one portrait, the brushstrokes are looser and the lines are softer; in the other, the brushstrokes are more finished and the lines are crisper.
Which of the following best describes the artists' approach in making these works? a. In both portraits, the artist has framed the subjects with a dark triangle formed by the curtains. b. In one portrait, the brushstrokes are looser and the lines are softer; in the other, the brushstrokes are more finished and the lines are crisper. c. One portrait opens up to a landscape scene in the background; the other is set in an interior space. d. In both works, the artists have incorporated borders of abstract patterns around the edges of the portraits.
c. Sketchy and loose throughout
Which of the following best describes the brushstrokes used by the artist in this painting? a. Loose in the foreground, but finished and firm in the background b. Finished and firm throughout c. Sketchy and loose throughout d. Finished and firm in the depiction of the sunset
a. More vertical lines are seen in the right half of the painting.
Which of the following best describes the composition of this scene, Surrender of Breda, by the Spanish painter Diego Velasquez? a. More vertical lines are seen in the right half of the painting. b. The right half and the left half mirror each other. c. No visual distinction is made between the right half and the left half of the painting. d. The linear staffs in the right half of the painting are held at a lower level than those in the left.
a. In both of the works, the figures are nude or semi-nude.
Which of the following best describes the figures in these works? a. In both of the works, the figures are nude or semi-nude. b. All the figures in both works are in a reclining, relaxed pose. c. The figures in both works show tensed muscles and twisted poses. d. The faces of all the figures express pain and emotion.
c. The architectural design employs a variety of lines—contrasting vertical and horizontal lines with curving and swirling lines.
Which of the following best describes the lines employed in this architectural design? a. The architectural design is dominated by straight, diagonal lines. b. The design employs strictly vertical and horizontal lines in a grid, with no curving lines. c. The architectural design employs a variety of lines—contrasting vertical and horizontal lines with curving and swirling lines. d. The lines in this architectural design are irregular and create asymmetry within the composition.
a. Virtually monochrome
Which of the following best describes the overall color scheme employed by this artist? a. Virtually monochrome b. Bright and multicolored c. Predominated by blues and greens d. Limited to black and white
c. The painting combines curving, swirling lines with straight, diagonal lines.
Which of the following best describes the quality of line in this painting? a. All the lines are curves and spirals. b. The lines throughout are rigid and straight. c. The painting combines curving, swirling lines with straight, diagonal lines. d. The straight lines divide the scene vertically down the center of the painting.
d. The legs of the horses in both works are shown in a variety of different positions.
Which of the following best describes the scenes depicted in these works? a. Both works present the horses against a background of trees and clouds. b. In both works, the horses are depicted in strict profile. c. The viewpoint in both is a bird's-eye view from an elevated point. d. The legs of the horses in both works are shown in a variety of different positions.
c. One is painted from a raised bird's-eye view, and one is painted from the ground level.
Which of the following best describes the viewpoint from which these landscapes are painted? a. Both are painted from a raised bird's-eye view. b. Both from the ground, level with the human figures. c. One is painted from a raised bird's-eye view, and one is painted from the ground level. d. One is painted from directly overhead, viewing straight down on the buildings.
b. Both paintings represent daytime scenes with blue skies visible.
Which of the following best describes these illusionistic ceiling paintings? a. Both are painted around a row of actual windows. b. Both paintings represent daytime scenes with blue skies visible. c. Painted columns are visible in only one of the paintings. d. Rounded arches are visible in only one of the paintings.
c. In one building, horizontal elements curve in and out; in the other building, they are straight.
Which of the following best describes these two buildings? a. Both buildings are topped by a triangular element, or pediment. b. Both buildings appear to have just one level. c. In one building, horizontal elements curve in and out; in the other building, they are straight. d. Only one building has text inscribed in a horizontal band across the façade.
c. One building is wider than it is high.
Which of the following best describes these two different buildings? a. Towers are visible at either end of both buildings. b. Both appear to reach the same height. c. One building is wider than it is high. d. The buildings are asymmetrical.
b. Both sitters are depicted against a deep landscape scene.
Which of the following best describes this double portrait? a. No separation is made between the portraits. b. Both sitters are depicted against a deep landscape scene. c. One portrait is clearly larger in size than the other. d. A lengthy text inscription appears in the upper and lower parts of the frame.
c. The tones range from deep blacks to greys to bright whites.
Which of the following best describes this print of Christ with the Sick around Him by Rembrandt? a. The right side of the print is much brighter than the left side. b. The tones in the print are uniformly gray. c. The tones range from deep blacks to greys to bright whites. d. The figure of Christ in the center is cast against a white background.
c. Luxembourg, Holland, and Belgium
Which of the following contemporary areas made up the territory known as the Netherlands in the 16th century? a. Bavaria, Holland, and Belgium b. Switzerland, Holland, and Belgium c. Luxembourg, Holland, and Belgium d. Northern Italy, Holland, and Belgium
b. Gray stone highlights many of the lines in the architecture.
Which of the following describes the details visible in this photograph? a. The window openings are square. b. Gray stone highlights many of the lines in the architecture. c. There are no colors visible besides white and gray. d. The walls are entirely covered with colorful mosaics.
d. A room with rounded arches and columns
Which of the following describes the setting of this scene? a. A series of rooms with the figures placed in the deep background b. A garden terrace with the figures placed in the foreground c. A balcony space that opens onto a deep landscape d. A room with rounded arches and columns
c. King Henry VIII
Which of the following historical figures is NOT considered a Christian humanist? a. Desiderius Erasmus b. François Rabelais c. King Henry VIII d. Thomas More
b. Focus on vanishing point in drawing
Which of the following is NOT one of the significant advances in artistic production that occurred in the 15th century? a. Invention of moveable type b. Focus on vanishing point in drawing c. Maturation of manuscript illumination d. Increased use of oils in painting
D. Godlike and powerful
Which of the following most accurately describes how George Washington appears in this portrait? a. Thoughtful and intelligent b. Natural and unassuming c. Warm and approachable d. Godlike and powerful
d. The sculpture features both smooth and rough textures.
Which of the following statements best describes this work? a. Both figures in the sculpture are covered in a colorful cloak. b. The sculpture implies no movement. c. The texture of the sculpture appears rough throughout. d. The sculpture features both smooth and rough textures.
c. One room features mirrors, windows, and an elegant crystal chandelier.
Which of the following statements describes the design of these two rooms? a. Both rooms feature curved doorframes and window frames. b. Both rooms feature mirrors prominently. c. One room features mirrors, windows, and an elegant crystal chandelier. d. One room features a prominent fireplace with an arched wall of mirrors over the mantel.
a. One is darker at the base and lighter in the upper stories, while the other's color is consistent throughout.
Which of these choices describes features of these buildings? a. One is darker at the base and lighter in the upper stories, while the other's color is consistent throughout. b. One building has one rounded corner, while the other has four rounded corners. c. Both buildings have a prominent roof dome. d. Columns with highly decorated tops, or capitals, are visible in both.
b. Jacques-Louis David
Which painter of the French revolution was able to revitalize his career by becoming First Painter to Napoleon? a. Benjamin West b. Jacques-Louis David c. Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres d. Édouard Manet
D. Nadar
Which photographer became known for creating portraits of artists such as Delacroix, Daumier, and Courbet? a. Alexander Gardner b. Timothy O'Sullivan c. Josiah Johnson Hawes d. Nadar
b. It combines abstract patterns with naturalistic elements, such as the face.
Which statement best describes Gustav Klimt's The Kiss, pictured here? a. The entire scene is rendered with extreme realism and detail. b. It combines abstract patterns with naturalistic elements, such as the face. c. The whole scene is composed of abstract pattern, with no recognizable objects or figures. d. The background is a very detailed, deep landscape.
a. The scene in only one of the paintings is depicted from a raised, bird's-eye view.
Which statement best describes the viewpoints from which these scenes are depicted? a. The scene in only one of the paintings is depicted from a raised, bird's-eye view. b. The scenes in both paintings are depicted from the ground, level with the human figures. c. Both paintings have scenes depicted from a raised, bird's-eye view. d. The scene in only one of the paintings is depicted from directly overhead, perpendicular to the ground.
b. The artist combines three-dimensional sculpture in the round with carvings into flatter surfaces.
Which statement most accurately describes this piece by the artist Tilman Riemenschneider? a. The artist has highlighted the more two-dimensional scenes with brilliant color. b. The artist combines three-dimensional sculpture in the round with carvings into flatter surfaces. c. All of the lines in the work are rigidly vertical or horizontal; there are no curved elements to be seen. d. The artist has presented the scene in one unified panel in the center with a rectangular frame.
B. Spain
Which was the dominant European power at the end of the 16th century, controlling an empire of a vast extent? a. France b. Spain c. England d. Italy