GACE Exam Art Education Test II (110)
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Which of the following is a common subject in the art of Mary Cassatt?
- Architectural abstraction
- Idyllic landscape
- Domestic portraiture
- Social criticism
Domestic portraiture
The artist Mary Cassatt was an American expatriate who lived most of her adult life in Paris. She was invited by Edgar Degas to exhibit with the Impressionists. Cassatt is best known for her portraits depicting domestic scenes, especially those of mothers and children.
An important innovation in the Gothic architecture of the abbey church of Saint-Denis was its
- incorporation of light and color into a church interior
- floor plan designed to accommodate large numbers of pilgrims
- use of barrel vaults to create great height in the church
- inclusion of narrative sculptural reliefs to decorate the exterior
incorporation of light and color into a church interior
The abbey church of Saint-Denis was innovative because it was the first to use a significant number of stained-glass windows. The stained glass introduced much more light and color into the interior than the smaller windows of earlier churches.
Marie-Rosalie (Rosa) Bonheur was best known as a
- Romantic artist who portrayed young lovers caught up in forbidden relationships
- naturalist who closely observed and painted the anatomy and motion of horses
- classicist who chose as her primary subject the timeless bond of mother and child
- landscape painter who worked outdoors in order to capture the fleeting impressions caused by changing light
naturalist who closely observed and painted the anatomy and motion of horses
Rosa Bonheur was a commercially successful French painter known for her realistic depictions of animals and rural scenes. In preparation for her most famous work, The Horse Fair, she regularly visited the stables of the Paris horse market in order to observe closely the anatomy and motion of horses. The painting, shown at the 1853 Salon, was an international success with both critics and the public. The Horse Fair currently resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci deteriorated rapidly as a result of his decision to
- paint directly on wet rather than dry plaster
- use an experimental paint made of oil and tempera
- leave the painting unvarnished
- suspend the canvas directly from the refectory wall
use an experimental paint made of oil and tempera
A true fresco is created by painting on wet plaster and is usually long lasting. Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper is not a fresco. Instead Leonardo decided to experiment by applying oil and tempera paint on a dry plaster ground. Unfortunately, the work began deteriorating rapidly as a result of his decision and has required much painstaking restoration work through the years.
The Statue of Augustus from Prima Porta is an example of which art-historical style?
- Classical Greek
- Roman Republican
- Hellenistic
- Imperial Roman
Imperial Roman
The statue commemorates the great Roman emperor Augustus and is an example of Roman Imperial art.
The painter Rembrandt van Rijn is best known for which of the following?
Select all that apply.
- Psychologically penetrating self-portraits
- Innovative group portraits
- Precise rendering of minute detail
- Dramatic use of shadow and light
- Psychologically penetrating self-portraits
- Innovative group portraits
- Dramatic use of shadow and light
The painter Rembrandt van Rijn is well-known for his psychologically penetrating self-portraits, innovative group portraits, and dramatic use of light and shade.
The Cornaro Chapel by Bernini is characteristic of which of the following art-historical styles?
- Romanesque
- Renaissance
- Baroque
- Rococo
Baroque
Gian Lorenzo Bernini was an extremely successful seventeenth century Italian sculptor, painter, and architect. His Cornaro Chapel, commissioned by Cardinal Federigo Cornaro, is considered a masterpiece of the Baroque style.
Which of the following is true of Jacques‑Louis David?
- He produced the last paintings of Rococo subjects that had dominated the age before the French Revolution.
- He used a Classical style to depict scenes from Ancient Roman history as allegories for the French Revolution.
- He remained politically neutral throughout the French Revolution by painting portraits exclusively.
- He supported the king fanatically during the French Revolution.
He used a Classical style to depict scenes from Ancient Roman history as allegories for the French Revolution.
Jacques-Louis David was a preeminent Neoclassicist whose work frequently referenced subjects from ancient history in order to serve as allegories for the tempestuous political climate surrounding the French Revolution.
The eighteenth-century painter and graphic artist William Hogarth produced a series of pictures that functioned chiefly as
- social satire
- landscape travel views
- lessons from the Bible
- historical narratives
social satire
William Hogarth examined the mores and activities of the social and economic classes in his satirical moral works, which were painted and later engraved. In A Harlot's Progress (1732) he shows the downward spiral in the life of a prostitute. A Rake's Progress (1735) looks at the newly prosperous middle class, and Marriage à la mode (1745) portrays upper-middle-class society.
Which of the following qualities best characterize the work of the painter Caravaggio?
Select all that apply.
- Figural abstraction
- Dramatic use of light
- Idealized subjects
- Gritty naturalism
- Dramatic use of light
- Gritty naturalism
The work of the painter Caravaggio is best characterized by its dramatic use of light and gritty naturalism.
Round domes and barrel vaults were first incorporated into architecture on a large scale during the
- Assyrian age of Mesopotamia
- Byzantine era of Constantinople
- Hellenistic period of Greece
- Republican era of Rome
Republican era of Rome
Roman architects were not the first to design or construct vaults, but they were notable for using these methods extensively on large-scale projects. Vault-building was most likely learned from Etruscan engineers, who famously designed the barrel-vaulted ceilings of the sewer system in Rome. The architects of Republican Rome used barrel and groin vaults along with domes to create impressive public and private spaces.
The art movement most often associated with the Pre-Raphaelites is which of the following?
- Romanticism
- Neoclassicism
- Realism
- Gothic Revival
Gothic Revival
The Victorian Pre-Raphaelite brotherhood has notable affinities with the earlier Gothic Revival movement. Both movements greatly admired the art and craft of the Middle Ages.
The Porch of the Maidens, Erechtheion, c.421-405 BC was first built for use as a
- Catholic church
- Roman temple
- Greek temple
- mosque
Greek temple
The Porch of the Maidens occupies the southwest corner of the large Ionic temple known as the Erechtheum, built in the late fifth century b.c.e. on the acropolis in Athens, Greece.
The Haitian-born American artist John James Audubon is famous for his
- oil studies of Native Americans
- watercolors of the birds of America
- watercolors of working-class Americans
- oil paintings of western American landscapes
watercolors of the birds of America
John James Audubon was a gifted naturalist and painter with a lifelong interest in birds. In 1820 he set out on a quest to paint every bird in North America. The resulting watercolor illustrations served as the basis for the 435 hand-colored prints in Audubon's book, The Birds of America, which many consider to be one of the most beautiful books ever printed.
William Michael Harnett's "Still Life — Violin and Music" exemplifies which of the following?
- Three-point perspective
- Foreshortening
- Radial symmetry
- Trompe l'oeil
Trompe l'oeil
The Irish-American artist William Michael Harnett is well known for his trompe l'oeil still life paintings of common objects. This style of trompe l'oeil was developed by Harnett and copied by many other artists. The painting shown exemplifies the technique.
Which of the following is a clear example of post-and-lintel construction?
- The Eiffel Tower
- Sainte-Chapelle
- The Pont du Gard
- Stonehenge
Stonehenge
A lintel is a flat beam that spans posts; the stone construction at Stonehenge is a clear application of this system. None of the buildings mentioned in the other choices employs this construction system.
Which of the following were created by the ancient Egyptians and later used by the ancient Greeks?
- Columns and capitals
- Hieroglyphics
- Pyramids
- Underground tombs
Columns and capitals
The ancient Egyptians are considered the first architectural engineers. Various styles of columns and capitals were used extensively by ancient Egyptian architects. These were further refined by ancient Greek builders.
The pierced holes in Nok terracotta sculptures, such as the one shown, were intended to
- equalize the heat created in the firing process
- reduce the weight of the work
- allow for the insertion of ornamental stones
- provide for the illumination of the work from within
equalize the heat created in the firing process
The pierced holes in Nok terracotta sculptures were intended to provide necessary heat outlets during the firing process.
Bark paintings from Oceania often depict
- religious ceremonies
- sacred figures
- important rulers
- political events
sacred figures
Bark painting is an iconic Aboriginal art form found throughout much of Australia, Oceania, and the Pacific Islands. Painted with natural ocher pigments on the smooth inner surface of eucalyptus-tree bark, these paintings often depict sacred mythological beings, as is evident in the example shown.
Frida Kahlo, who grew up during the Mexican Revolution, showed her support for the establishment of an indigenous Mexican identity by incorporating which of the following in her paintings?
Select all that apply.
- Her favorite pets
- Local architecture
- Herself in Tehuana garb
- Folk art elements
- Herself in Tehuana garb
- Folk art elements
Frida Kahlo grew up during the Mexican Revolution and throughout her life supported the establishment of an indigenous Mexican identity. Kahlo's pride in her Mexican heritage was reflected in her artwork in a number of ways, most notably by depicting herself in traditional Tehuana clothing and including elements of Mexican folk art.
The architecture of the Great Mosque at Córdoba features
- an open, central space with an altar in the center
- a large, flat area of wall space broken up by stained-glass windows
- a huge portal with guardian figures on either side
- a hypostyle hall topped by large horseshoe-shaped arches
a hypostyle hall topped by large horseshoe-shaped arches
Many traditional Islamic mosques, such as the Great Mosque at Córdoba, are notable for a large hall called a hypostyle hall, in which the roof is supported by several rows of columns topped with large horseshoe-shaped arches.
Most of these colossal heads were found defaced and buried, probably to mark the death of a ruler of which of the following civilizations?
- Aztec
- Inca
- Maya
- Olmec
Olmec
Enormous stone representations of human heads are the distinctive legacy of the Olmec civilization of ancient Mesoamerica. The monumental sculptures, carved from massive basalt boulders, can measure almost nine feet high and weigh nearly eight tons. The seventeen confirmed examples of Olmec colossal heads all display individualistic facial features, leading many experts to consider them possible portraits of actual rulers.
Which of the following accurately describes this Kwakiutl mask?
- It realistically interprets a mythological animal.
- It represents a naturalistic portrait of a shaman.
- It is a stylized and expressionistic portrait.
- It is a nonrepresentational mask of an animal.
It is a stylized and expressionistic portrait.
The Kwakiutl, also known as the Kwakwaka'wakw, are an indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest known for their masterfully carved totem poles, masks, and canoes. Their stylized and expressive masks make up a large portion of their ceremonial art and are important in the portrayal of characters central to their traditional dance ceremonies.
To serve their function as places of spiritual renewal, classical Japanese Zen gardens typically contain which of the following?
- Cascading waterfalls
- Bridges crossing koi ponds
- Flower plantings arranged in symbolic patterns
- Rocks encircled by raked patterns in white gravel
Rocks encircled by raked patterns in white gravel
Classical Japanese Zen gardens are dry gardens that feature arrangements of prominently placed rocks surrounded by raked water-like patterns in sand or gravel. The flowing patterns represent water and, consequently, the still waters of the mind.
When painting Europe After the Rain II, Max Ernst created the foreground by placing a piece of paper on the painted surface and then pulling the paper away, creating accidental patterns and textures that provided the Surrealist artist with which of the following?
- A last layer of embellishment to enrich the color palette
- An important element in a carefully planned composition
- The basis for form inspired by free association.
- A way to creatively erase painting mistakes
The basis for form inspired by free association.
Max Ernst often used automatic techniques to free his unconscious imagination and provide inspiration for new subject matter. In some of his later work, evident in Europe After the Rain II, he experimented with a process called decalcomania to create the foliage-like patterns that provided the basis for this strange and dreamlike landscape.
The New York artist Jean-Michel Basquiat is most closely associated with which of the following art movements?
- Neo-Conceptualism
- Neo-Dada
- Neo-Pop
- Neo-Expressionism
Neo-Expressionism
Jean-Michel Basquiat began his career as a graffiti artist when he was a teenager in New York City in the late 1970s. By 1982, Basquiat's Neo-Expressionist paintings were being shown regularly in high-profile galleries and exhibitions alongside works from Julian Schnabel, David Salle, Francesco Clemente, and other Neo-Expressionist artists. Basquiat received tremendous popular and critical acclaim as an international art star and a leading figure in the Neo-Expressionist movement.
Which of the following describe the goals of the artists associated with the Art Nouveau movement?
Select all that apply.
- To revitalize the arts with a unifying style of flowing organic forms
- To popularize the historical prototypes sanctioned by the French Academy
- To emphasize the role of the unconscious in the production of art
- To create art suited to the realities of the industrial age
- To revitalize the arts with a unifying style of flowing organic forms
- To create art suited to the realities of the industrial age
Artists associated with the Art Nouveau movement sought to create works of art that were suited to the realities of the industrial age and in which fine and decorative art were integrated into a unified whole. They frequently incorporated modern materials and organic forms in the creation of art, decorative objects, and architecture.
The Street Art movement's focus on culture and consumerism most relates to which of the following art movements?
- Pop Art
- Modern Art
- Dada
- Art Deco
Pop Art
Although their political and social motives might be different, contemporary street artists share a common lineage with twentieth century Pop artists. The Street Art movement's prime subject matter focuses on contemporary culture and consumerism and, therefore, most relates to Pop Art.
The Abstract Expressionist movement is associated with a group of
- abstract artists based in Paris at the start of the 1930's
- avant-garde artists in prerevolutionary Russia
- Expressionist painters in Dresden before the First World War
- abstract painters based in New York after the Second World War
abstract painters based in New York after the Second World War
The term "Abstract Expressionism" was first popularized in 1946 by American art critic Robert Coates in reference to works by Arshile Gorky, Willem de Kooning, and Jackson Pollock. By 1951 the Abstract Expressionist movement commonly referred to a group of painters based in New York after the Second World War.
The visual characteristics of Romare Bearden's "The Prodigal Son" link most closely to which of the following artists' practice?
- Diego Rivera's use of symbolism
- Frida Kahlo's inclusion of autobiographical references
- Faith Ringgold's treatment of quilting
- Pablo Picasso's introduction of fractured forms
Pablo Picasso's introduction of fractured forms
Romare Bearden's work, which influenced many later artists, was itself influenced by many sources. Among these are Picasso's (and Braque's) introduction of collage into painting as well as the Cubist approach to form. The representation of the figures, particularly those on the right side of the work, reflect the Cubist practice of breaking forms and showing them from more than one direction. The clearest example is the profile at the right with its eye painted as though from the front.
Marc Chagall and Giorgio De Chirico are best known for which of the following?
- Painting official portraits of notable historical figures
- Weaving childhood memories and dreamlike elements into their paintings
- Painting pastoral scenes and vivid monumental landscapes
- Using savage, slashing brush strokes and loud colors in their paintings
Weaving childhood memories and dreamlike elements into their paintings
Marc Chagall and Giorgio De Chirico were influential predecessors of the Surrealists and are best known for their metaphysical subject matter, both weaving childhood memories and dreamlike elements into their paintings.
Judy Chicago's Dinner Party celebrates
- traditional family values, with an emphasis on motherhood
- the first Thanksgiving celebrated by the Pilgrims
- the role of women as food providers
- the achievements and contributions of women throughout history
the achievements and contributions of women throughout history
Celebrating the achievements of women throughout history, the "table" created for Judy Chicago's Dinner Party is set with 39 place settings, each dedicated to an important woman (e.g., Georgia O'Keefe, Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth); the names of 999 additional "women of achievement" are inscribed on the floor of the piece.
Immersive virtual reality art that uses sensors within an installation can best be described as
- interactive
- cinematic
- streaming
- distributed
interactive
Immersive virtual reality art that uses sensors to connect viewers to the installation is designed to make the environment of the installation feel real to viewers. Viewers can respond to the installation's environment in a way that feels natural. In so doing, the viewer interacts with the immersive virtual reality.
Charles Demuth's "I Saw The Figure 5 in Gold" is characteristic of which of the following styles?
- Precisionism
- Constructivism
- Expressionism
- Purism
Precisionism
The work is associated with the style of Precisionism, an early twentieth century American art movement.
Which of the following accurately characterize Color-Field painting?
Select all that apply.
- Careful application of thickly painted texture for a realistic effect
- Use of overlapping and interacting areas of thin washes of flat color
- Huge canvases that treat the surface as a field of vision
- Painted layers of small brushstrokes that create a sense of depth
- Use of overlapping and interacting areas of thin washes of flat color
- Huge canvases that treat the surface as a field of vision
Color-Field painting is a branch of Abstract Expressionism called Post-Painterly Abstraction by the famous art critic Clement Greenberg. Helen Frankenthaler, Morris Lewis, and Mark Rothko are all considered within this stylistic school. Large abstract canvases painted or stained with glowing areas of overlapping and interacting flat color best characterize Color-Field painting.
Goya's The Disasters of War can be seen as the prototype for which of the following works by Pablo Picasso?
- Les Demoiselles d'Avignon
- Guernica
- Three Musicians
- The Old Guitarist
Guernica
Both Goya's The Disasters of War and Picasso's Guernica are passionate expressions of anguish at the brutality of war. None of the other Picasso works mentioned is related to war.
Land Art, or Earthworks, can always be described as
- site specific
- immersive
- interactive
- permanent
site specific
Land Art (or Earthworks) uses the natural environment of a particular landscape as a means of creation. It was first seriously explored in the 1970s as a kind of protest against the gallery system and its commercialization of artistic production. Initially, many Land Art works were monumental in scale, like Robert Smithson's famous Spiral Jetty. However, trends in contemporary Land Art are shifting toward more intimate installations, as exemplified by the work of Sylvain Meyer. Regardless, the most characteristic quality of all Land Art is its site-specific nature. In fact, much contemporary site-specific art has roots in the aesthetic of Land Art.
The contemporary artist Annie Leibovitz is best known for her work in which of the following?
- Performance art
- Portrait photography
- Fashion design
- Video installation
Portrait photography
The contemporary artist Annie Leibovitz is an internationally renowned photographer who developed her signature style while working for Rolling Stone magazine. She is best known for her iconic and innovative work as a portrait photographer.
The stop-motion photographic works created by Eadweard Muybridge served to advance which of the following scientific fields?
- Astrophysics
- Biomechanics
- Geological engineering
- Chemical engineering
Biomechanics
Late-nineteenth century artist Eadweard Muybridge was the first to systematically develop equipment and techniques to capture the movement of bipedal and quadripedal gaits. His groundbreaking stop-motion photographic works of humans and animals were published in his books Animal Locomotion and The Human Figure in Motion and served to greatly advance the science of biomechanics.
Art patronage during the Italian High Renaissance was most often provided by the
- middle class
- art museums
- Catholic hierarchy
- Protestant hierarchy
Catholic hierarchy
In the history of art, patronage refers to the support that kings, queens, popes, and the wealthy provided to artists such as painters and sculptors. During the Italian High Renaissance, arts patronage was most strongly provided by the Catholic Church. The High Renaissance, roughly spanning the four decades from 1490 to the sack of Rome in 1527, represents the accepted pinnacle of Renaissance art. While the preceding Early Renaissance had been centered in the city of Florence and the art largely paid for by the wealthy Medici family, the High Renaissance was centered in Rome and art was primarily commissioned by the popes, most notably Julius II.
The development of oil paints in the fifteenth century gave artists greater ability to do which of the following?
Select all that apply.
- Work on quick-drying surfaces
- Record fine detail
- Mix colors freely
- Portray minute gradations of light
- Record fine detail
- Mix colors freely
- Portray minute gradations of light
The development of oil paints by fifteenth century Northern European artists like Jan Van Eyck led to its adoption as the major European painting medium by the sixteenth century. The versatility of slow drying oil paint offered artists opportunities for new painting techniques. Painters could now record fine detail, blend colors freely, and depict gradations of light in contrast to the previously traditional medium of egg tempera. Oil painting afforded Renaissance artists the ability to refine their striving for realistic illusionism.
The Federal Art Project, one of many activities sponsored by the Work Projects Administration, commissioned murals in public buildings in the United States primarily to
- upgrade the condition of the buildings
- provide work for unemployed artists during the Great Depression
- promote the redistribution of property in the 1920's
- publicize little-known events in United States history
provide work for unemployed artists during the Great Depression
The Federal Art Project (FAP) sponsored by the Works Projects Administration was created in 1935 as part of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal program. The government-sponsored FAP addressed the catastrophic effects of the Great Depression by providing work relief for artists in various media, creating over 5,000 jobs for artists and producing over 225,000 works of art, including posters, paintings, and murals created in public buildings.
As indicated by her work, the experimental writer Gertrude Stein shared some of her friend Pablo Picasso's fascination with theories of
- simultaneous space and time
- psychoanalysis
- Western religion
- politics
simultaneous space and time
During the early twentieth century, experimental writer Gertrude Stein shared some of her friend Pablo Picasso's fascination with Albert Einstein's intriguing new theory of simultaneous space-time. The subsequent fractured language style of Gertrude Stein's novels, essays, and poems recalled the multiple perspectives of Pablo Picasso's development of Cubist art. Both artists succeeded in creating new styles of expression that reflected Einstein's new way of understanding the nature of the world.
Which of the following wrote the fifteenth-century text On Painting, which included the first systematic guidelines for the use of linear perspective?
- Alberti
- Botticelli
- Masaccio
- Raphael
Alberti
Leon Battista Alberti (1404-1472) was a leading Italian philosopher, writer, architect, cryptographer, and artistic theorist. His 1435 treatise Della pittura (On Painting) was the first to describe one-point perspective and contained the first scientific study of linear perspective, a discovery that became a foundation of art in the Renaissance and on into the present day.
What was the major religious impetus for the Baroque style in European art?
- The Great Schism
- The Counter-Reformation
- The Industrial Revolution
- The High Renaissance
The Counter-Reformation
Following the spread of Martin Luther's Protestant Reformation (circa 1517) throughout Europe, there was a loss of support for the Church of Rome and a subsequent decline of Christian imagery in works of art. In response the church mounted the Counter-Reformation in order to denounce Lutheranism and reaffirm Catholic doctrine, and greatly utilized the visual arts to aid this cause. The resulting exuberant Baroque style is considered the artistic expression of the Counter-Reformation.
Of the following, the decorative motifs of the eighteenth-century architect Robert Adam are most similar to those found on
- Wedgwood pottery
- Roman fresco
- chinoiserie furniture
- Art Nouveau glassware
Wedgwood pottery
It is no coincidence that the decorative motifs of the eighteenth-century interior design of Robert Adam are similar to those found on Wedgwood pottery. Josiah Wedgwood was a personal friend of Adam and a great follower of contemporary taste and fashion. After the Neoclassical style was popularized by architects like Adam, Wedgwood went to work in order to develop a new ceramic body that would harmonize with the pastel shades of Adam's interior walls and delicate white plasterwork. After nearly 3,000 tries, he succeeded in creating Wedgwood pottery's signature pastel-colored jasperware with white relief ornamentation.
A major obstacle faced by nineteenth-century women artists in Europe and the United States was that
- membership in the craft guilds was prohibited to women
- women were not able to see major private or public art collections
- access to life-drawing classes was restricted for women
- women were not permitted to have clients of their own
access to life-drawing classes was restricted for women
American art historian Linda Nochlin pioneered the field of feminist art theory with the 1971 publication of her essay, "Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?" In her essay, Nochlin argued that a major obstacle faced by European and American women artists, from the Renaissance to the nineteenth century, was that women were deprived access to life-drawing classes.
In 1889 George Eastman made photography accessible to the public by introducing which of the following?
- Instant film
- Zoom lenses
- Rolled photography film
- Inexpensive camera lenses
Rolled photography film
In 1889 George Eastman, the inventor of the Kodak camera, made photography accessible to the general public by introducing the first flexible transparent film roll to the mass market. This important technological achievement also made possible the development of Thomas Edison's motion picture camera in 1891.
African masks had a strong influence on the work of
- the Art Nouveau designers
- Pablo Picasso and Cubist artists
- Salvadore Dali and the Surrealists
- Diego Rivera and the Social Realists
Pablo Picasso and Cubist artists
African masks had a strong influence on the early Cubist work, particularly that of Pablo Picasso. At the turn of the nineteenth century, the French Empire expanded its colonies in Africa. By the early twentieth century, African artworks were being brought back to Paris museums, most notably to the ethnographic museum at Palais du Trocadéro, where Picasso experienced a revelation while viewing African tribal masks. The cubists drew on the expressive energy of art from other cultures, especially African art, to revitalize Western art traditions.
Which of the following is an institution that can be considered a cross between an art studio and a forensics lab?
- Auction house
- Conservation center
- Preservation society
- Ecological restoration lab
Conservation center
Modern-day art conservation centers are filled with both studio art materials and the investigative tools of modern science. Many art conservators have backgrounds in science as well as in studio art. Tools such as various imaging technologies help conservators see how artists of the past created their works, which ultimately informs their careful care and restoration of those works.
The paintings of Albert Bierstadt, of the Hudson River School, reinforced the American idea of Manifest Destiny by typically depicting
- dark, poignant scenes of immigrant life
- beautifully rendered botanical illustrations
- gritty, crowded city street scenes
- idealized landscapes bathed in glowing light
idealized landscapes bathed in glowing light
The concept of Manifest Destiny is most often associated with the belief that the United States was destined to expand across the entire continent. Albert Bierstadt (1830-1902) was the first internationally recognized artist to depict the American West, and his monumental paintings of western panoramas were wildly popular with the public. His series of landscape paintings showed vistas from the western frontier that were bathed in golden light, and these idealized images helped strengthen the idea and appeal of Manifest Destiny with the public.
Before direct computer-to-press printing, the process most commonly used to print daily newspapers was
- serigraph
- engraving
- offset lithography
- copper etching
offset lithography
Before direct computer-to-press printing, the process most commonly used to print daily newspapers was offset lithography.
Which of the following Dada art techniques was adopted by the late-twentieth-century punk subculture?
- Minimalist treatment of space
- Expressionistic mark making
- Collaged pop culture images
- Smoothly painted surfaces
Collaged pop culture images
In 1974, nearly sixty years after the Dada art movement, the punk rock subculture emerged. Art journalists have frequently noted the obvious influence of Dada artwork on the punk aesthetic, especially the work of graphic designer Jamie Reid. Album artwork created by Reid featured defaced pop culture images and mixed cut-out typefaces that effectively mirrored the counter-cultural style of Dada.
Which of the following is a paperlike material made from bleached and stretched animal hides that was primarily used during the Middle Ages for illuminated manuscripts?
- Parchment
- Glassine
- Papyrus
- Rice paper
Parchment
During the early Middle Ages in Europe, parchment replaced papyrus as the most common writing material. Parchment is a paperlike material made from bleached and stretched animal skins, often sheepskin, goatskin, or calfskin. It has considerably more strength and durability than papyrus. Illuminated manuscripts generally used the highest quality of parchment made from calfskin, also called vellum. In the late Middle Ages, manuscripts began to be created on paper.
Which of the following design principles is considered by Gestalt psychologists to be a basic aspect of human perception?
- Symmetrical and asymmetrical balance
- Rhythm and movement
- Figure-ground relationship
- Emphasis
Figure-ground relationship
The study of human perception by Gestalt psychologists resulted in discoveries that greatly impacted art and design. The art principle concerning figure-ground relationship is one of the most basic laws of visual perception, as observed by Gestalt theorists. In the human visual system, figure-ground organization is the process of identifying a figure from the background.
Which of the following events caused extreme social difficulties that Dorothea Lange documented by photographing people who suffered its effects?
- Irish potato famine
- First World War
- Great Depression
- Vietnam War
Great Depression
Dorothea Lange (1895-1965) is best known for her intimate portraits of people, especially migratory farm workers, suffering the extreme effects of the Great Depression.
In reference to seventeenth-century European painting, the term "genre" refers to works that depicted and placed a new value on
- historical events
- everyday scenes
- landscapes
- religious subjects
everyday scenes
In reference to European painting, the term "genre" refers to works that depict scenes of everyday life. The wealthy merchant middle class, most notably in the seventeenth-century Netherlands, cried out for works that glorified portrayals of ordinary people engaged in common activities. Genre painting gained new value, and for the first time in history, art became available to this new class of consumer.
Which of the following terms is used to describe a painting that specifically represents what the artist sees?
- Objective
- Narrative
- Iconic
- Hard-edge
Objective
For representational content, "objective" refers to an interaction between the artist and the subject that is unaffected by emotion and presented factually. Thus, it is an accurate description of a painting that specifically represents what the artist sees.
The "classical canon" that has become a tradition in western art is based primarily on works from which of the following countries?
- Russia and Byzantium
- Spain and the Netherlands
- Italy and France
- England and Ireland
Italy and France
The term "classical canon," when referring to visual art, is the authoritative list of approved works of art that were deemed suitable for study by Western traditionalists. The concept became increasingly controversial during the late twentieth century when art theorists began to question the exclusive nature of the traditional canon, which is primarily based on the work of European men, most notably Italian and French artists.
The aesthetic beliefs of art critic John Ruskin and designer William Morris are echoed today in
- mechanization and technology that increases production
- televised commercial advertising
- products made by craftsmen from start to finish
- experimentation with innovative tools and materials
products made by craftsmen from start to finish
At the turn of the nineteenth century, John Ruskin and William Morris were both critical of the increasing industrialization taking place in Europe and America. Ruskin believed, along with Morris, that machine-made goods were "dishonest" and that factory/industrial jobs dehumanized workers and took away the dignity and pride of accomplishment inherent in the act of handcrafting goods. William Morris adopted Ruskin's ideas and founded the Arts and Crafts movement in England. Their belief in the value to society of handcrafted products is echoed today in handmade goods created by craftsmen from start to finish.
The objects depicted in Willem van Aelst's painting "An Oyster Breakfast" symbolize the
- wealth of the Catholic Church
- study of medicine
- ravages of the Plague
- brevity of life
brevity of life
The painting An Oyster Breakfast by Willem van Aelst contains symbolic references to the theme of vanitas, which emphasizes the brevity of life. In vanitas still lifes, an abundance of food can be seen as a symbol of luxury but at the same time has a double meaning: food does not last forever and life does not, either. This is emphasized through the representation of highly perishable food such as oysters.
The concept of the sublime is best defined as an experience that provokes a sense of
- tranquility
- pity
- awe
- confusion
awe
The aesthetic concept concerning the sublime was taken up in earnest in eighteenth-century England. A sublime quality in nature is distinct from beauty and is best defined as an experience that provokes a sense of awe.
When a painting is described as "painterly," it indicates that the artist has used the paint
- in a very precise, controlled manner
- with subtle shifts in value and color
- in a loose, gestural way
- with no evidence of brushstrokes
in a loose, gestural way
Describing a work as "painterly" implies that it contains a departure from strict realism and has the appearance of a painting (as opposed to a drawing or photograph). Painterly works are characterized by loose, gestural uses of color and texture as well as visible brushstrokes.
The philosopher Arthur Danto laid the groundwork for an institutional theory of art that rests on which of the following ideas?
- Art is an imitation of an imitation.
- Art is expressing oneself.
- Art is the human rage for chaos.
- Art is determined by the artworld.
Art is determined by the artworld.
Danto actually coined the term "artworld" by which he meant "an atmosphere of artistic theory, a knowledge of the history of art." In his writing, he compared the evolution of the artworld to that of ever-changing scientific theories. Basically, Danto theorized art is art when it has been intentionally presented for inclusion in the artworld, which is the beginning of the institutional theory of art put forth by George Dickie.
Semiotic theory is associated with which of the following?
- Literal approaches to life
- Signs and symbols in language
- Scientific methodologies
- Direct sensory perceptions
Signs and symbols in language
A branch of modern linguistics, semiotics is best defined as the study of signs, symbols, and sign-using behavior, especially in language. According to semiotic theory, language comprises words, images, sounds, gestures, and objects. Beginning in the 1970s, semiotics emerged as a useful framework for analyzing phenomena in a variety of fields including art and visual culture.
James Abbott McNeill Whistler's "Nocturne in Black and Gold: The Falling Rocket" promotes which of the following philosophical stances?
- Art should be created so that "form follows function."
- Art can be created for the sake of its intrinsic beauty alone.
- Art should be accessible to and have universal appeal for the masses.
- Art relies on the use of commonly understood abstract symbols.
Art can be created for the sake of its intrinsic beauty alone.
The artist James Abbott McNeill Whistler was an American expatriate living in London, whose aesthetic philosophy was "l'art pour l'art" (art for art's sake). In 1877, Whistler exhibited Nocturne in Black and Gold: The Falling Rocket, a semiabstract landscape composed in layers of translucent atmospheric color. This work outraged conservative art critics. The powerful art critic John Ruskin wrote a sharply critical article about the painting. In response Whistler, charging slander, sued Ruskin for damages. Although Whistler won the case in court he was only awarded a farthing (the smallest coin in the realm). Yet he did succeed in making a case for artistic beauty existing independently of realistic subject matter. His belief that art could be created for its intrinsic beauty alone laid the groundwork for the modern art movement.
The Barcelona chair, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich, exemplifies the aesthetic criteria of which of the following design movements?
- Postmodern
- Art Deco
- Bauhaus
- Art Nouveau
Bauhaus
The Barcelona chair is an example of Bauhaus-inspired design and was created for the German Pavilion at the International Exposition of 1929 hosted by Barcelona, Spain. The Bauhaus was a German design school (1919-1933) that famously combined fine arts, craft, and industrial design. The Bauhaus style had a profound influence on Modernist architecture and modern design. The designers of the Barcelona chair, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich, were both modernist designers with ties to the Bauhaus. Architect Mies van der Rohe served as the last director of the school (1930-1933) and appointed his frequent collaborator Lilly Reich to direct the Bauhaus interior design workshop.
Which of the following best states an important tenet of Postmodernism?
- Form is more important than content.
- Knowledge is mediated by culture and language.
- Classical methods of inquiry should inform artistic process.
- Selfhood is necessarily filtered through nature.
Knowledge is mediated by culture and language.
The concept of cultural determinism, whereby individual knowledge is shaped and limited by cultural forces like language, is an important tenet in most expressions of Postmodernism.
Which of the following best describes the visual art of William Blake?
- Expressionist landscapes, often portraying the relationship of people with nature
- Romantic images, frequently incorporating biblical themes
- Neoclassic portraits, generally for the royal courts of England
- Baroque architecture, primarily public buildings in London
Romantic images, frequently incorporating biblical themes
William Blake is arguably one of the most original artists of the Romantic period and is also considered one of the greatest poets in the English language. Self-taught in every field except engraving, he produced an impressive series of color-printed books using his unique relief etching process, which allowed him to combine his drawings alongside text. Blake's body of work reflected his increasing interest in biblical subject matter.
Which of the following is a feature of Hokusai's Japanese landscape, "View of Konodrai", that would distinguish it from a European landscape painting or print created prior to 1850 ?
- The flat use of color and abstract shapes
- The idealization of nature
- The use of cloud formations as a significant compositional element
- The inclusion of buildings as well as natural forms
The flat use of color and abstract shapes
Hokusai is one of the Japanese printmakers whose work was imported to Paris in the mid-nineteenth century and strongly influenced artists such as Degas and Cassatt. One of the aspects of the imported ukiyo-e prints that most impressed European artists was the way representation of space was changed by using areas of relatively flat color to compose an image. Because they are not modeled as required in European tradition, many of the color areas, such as the cloud formation and the triangular roofs of the buildings, read as abstract shapes.
Which of the following terms refers to the analysis of the symbols, themes and subject matter in the visual arts?
- Iconographic
- Stylistic
- Visual
- Contextual
Iconographic
Iconographic analysis specifically concerns itself with symbols, themes and subject matter of works of art in order to establish the meaning an artwork had at the time it was created.
Which of the following artists' subject matter focused on exotic places, political freedom, and violent struggle?
- Eugène Delacroix
- Auguste Renoir
- Hans Holbein
- Thomas Gainsborough
Eugène Delacroix
Eugène Delacroix is typically associated with French Romanticism and his work is characterized by representations of extreme states of emotion, expressive use of color, and dynamic composition. His depictions of contemporary events often showed people involved in struggles, battles, and other emotionally intense scenes. For example, Delacroix created several paintings expressing sympathy for the Greek cause in their war of independence against the Turks. Later in his career, a visit to Morocco in 1832 provided the "exotic" subject matter of a great many of his future paintings.
Which of the following is a feature of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling that was revealed after the ceiling had been cleaned, altering critical understanding of the ceiling?
- A structural grid
- A hidden self-portrait
- Passages of text
- Vibrant colors
Vibrant colors
Many consider Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling frescoes, finished over five hundred years ago, to be the greatest work of art in the Western world. In 1980, the Vatican announced restoration plans for this famous work. Although still controversial, the cleaning of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling frescoes revealed vivid colors that surprised people. Arguably the greatest art conservation project of the twentieth century, the project cost millions of dollars, took twelve years to complete, and brought together an international team of the greatest conservationists and art historians of the time.
The Feldman method of art criticism includes description, analysis, interpretation, and which of the following?
- Judgment
- Improvement
- Differentiation
- Summarization
Judgment
Edmund Burke Feldman, Alumni Foundation Distinguished Professor of Art at the University of Georgia, developed a method for evaluating works of art. The Feldman method of art criticism includes four steps: description, analysis, interpretation, and judgment.
The Fauves ("wild beasts") were given this name by an art critic, in part because of their striking use of
- line
- color
- shape
- texture
color
At the beginning of the twentieth century, Henri Matisse and André Derain led a group of artists who painted with bold, vivid color. In 1905 the Salon d'Automne held an exhibition at the Grand Palais in Paris, which included several works by Matisse, Derain, and others in the group. At this exhibition the nickname "les fauves," which means "wild beasts," was coined by art critic Louis Vauxcelles. After viewing the 1905 exhibit, Vauxcelles described the scene as "Donatello au mileau des fauves!" (Donatello among the wild beasts!). The art group was, henceforth, called "fauves," and the first art movement of the modern age became known as "Fauvism."
In the 1800s, Édouard Manet's "The Fifer" created a controversy among art critics primarily because the artist painted
- a young man dressed in a military uniform
- an unflattering political image
- a portrait in a limited primary color range
- a flattened figure with few shadows and little modeling
a flattened figure with few shadows and little modeling
Édouard Manet's painting The Fifer, while now recognized as a masterpiece of early modernism, was not well appreciated in the artist's own time. The painting depicts a teenage musician from a ceremonial military band. Rather than model his subject conventionally using Renaissance chiaroscuro, the artist shocked critics by choosing to render the figure brightly lit from the front with little modeling and only a hint of shadow behind, giving the painting a curious flatness. The painting was refused at the Paris Salon of 1866 under the pretext that the modeling was flat. The painting was exhibited in 1867 and included in the major retrospective exhibition of Manet's work after his death in 1883. The Fifer currently resides in the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, France.
Nazi ridicule of avant-garde art was apparent in the choice of title for their 1937 Entartete Kunst art exhibition, which is best defined as which of the following?
- Degenerate art
- Bolshevist art
- Modern art
- Folkloric art
Degenerate art
Nazi ridicule of the avant-garde art of their time was exemplified in the 1937 special exhibition Entartete Kunst (Degenerate Art). Entarte Kunst referred to art that did not conform with the art policies of National Socialism.The word "degenerate" was used by the Nazis to describe virtually all modern art, most notably German Expressionist art.
Conversing with other artists, reviewing creative processes, and comparing perceptual preferences are all activities typically associated with which of the following?
- Formalizing art
- Ethnographic research
- Inquiry-based art history
- Art critique
Art critique
The art critique process, often a group activity, strives to analyze and evaluate works of art objectively . Conversing with other artists, reviewing creative processes, and comparing perceptual preferences are some of the typical activities associated with an art critique. Participating in art critiques is an important way for artists to build a vocabulary with which to talk about art and make more refined judgments about works of art.
The landmark exhibition that introduced modern art to the United States was called the
- Armory Show
- Salon des Refusés
- Société Anonyme
- Centennial Exhibition
Armory Show
The 1913 International Exhibition of Modern Art, otherwise known as the landmark Armory Show, famously introduced European modernism to the United States. The exhibition was organized by the Association of American Painters and Sculptors and is generally remembered by the name of its initial locale: New York City's 69th Regiment Armory.
Which of the following is most important for artists to include in their portfolio?
- A maximum of three to four of their best works to show only those of the highest quality.
- All the work they completed during all four years of college, to show growth over time.
- A range of about twelve to twenty pieces, including a few concept sketches, that show the breadth of their accomplishment.
- Photographs of only works that are still in process, to show skill development.
A range of about twelve to twenty pieces, including a few concept sketches, that show the breadth of their accomplishment.
An art portfolio is an organized collection of artwork intended to show viewers an artist's style and abilities. The portfolio-development process provides artists with a chance to examine their body of artwork, select successful pieces, and showcase a range of skills and accomplishments. A good portfolio should contain from twelve to twenty works of art in a variety of media, including concept sketches to help the viewer gain an understanding of the artistic thinking process and idea development. A well-planned art portfolio is essential when applying for acceptance to art schools and admittance to art galleries, and for gaining commercial art employment.