GEN HUM 2223 Midterm: Renaissance to Modern Art & Revolutions

What is an aesthetic object?

An aesthetic object is something that embodies beauty, value, and pleasure in experiencing art.

How does Walter Pater want us to approach aesthetic objects?

Pater encourages students to define beauty in concrete terms and to discover subjective impressions before aiming for objectivity.

What characterizes the Renaissance according to Walter Pater?

The Renaissance is described as an outbreak of the human spirit, emphasizing physical beauty and a revival of classical antiquity.

What is humanism?

Humanism is the belief that nothing which has ever interested living men and women can lose its vitality, emphasizing the importance of human experience and expression.

What was one major outcome of the Reformations?

One major outcome was the questioning of religious authority, which is reflected in various works of art from the era.

How did the scientific revolution impact human consciousness?

The scientific revolution expanded human consciousness by introducing new ways of understanding the world, as seen in art and literature.

Describe a work of art that deals with the 'New World' from a European perspective.

Artworks from this period often depict unfamiliar populations with a sense of curiosity or superiority, reflecting European attitudes.

How did Enlightenment ideas contribute to the Revolutions?

Enlightenment ideas promoted individual rights and reason, influencing the language and outcomes of various revolutions.

What is Romanticism?

Romanticism is an artistic movement that emphasizes emotion and individualism, as seen in literature and painting.

What are two examples of Romanticism in literature and painting?

An example from literature is Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein', and from painting, Caspar David Friedrich's 'Wanderer above the Sea of Fog'.

How did 19th century Romanticism differ between England and the United States?

In England, it often focused on nature and the sublime, while in the U.S., it emphasized individualism and the frontier spirit.

What are two ways Impressionism revolutionized painting?

Impressionism introduced new techniques such as capturing light and movement, and it emphasized everyday subjects over historical or religious themes.

What is linear perspective?

Linear perspective is a technique used to create the illusion of depth on a flat surface by converging parallel lines.

What is aerial perspective?

Aerial perspective is a technique where objects appear lighter and bluer as they recede into the distance.

What is sfumato?

Sfumato is a painting technique that creates a smoky effect, softening edges and blending colors.

Who was Cosimo de Medici?

Cosimo de Medici was a prominent patron of the arts and set up the Platonic Academy in Florence.

What is the significance of Michelangelo's 'David'?

'David' represents the ideal of human beauty and the Renaissance's focus on humanism.

What does Jan Van Eyck's 'Arnolfini Portrait' celebrate?

It celebrates material wealth and beauty, reflecting the status of the merchant class.

What does the 'Doni Tondo' by Michelangelo represent?

It represents the Renaissance's rehabilitation of human nature and the celebration of the human body.

What role did the Medici family play in the Renaissance?

The Medici family were major patrons of the arts, supporting artists and the development of humanist thought.

What is the significance of the Sistine Chapel ceiling?

painted by Michelangelo, is a masterpiece of Renaissance art, showcasing biblical scenes and human emotion.

What is the theme of Botticelli's 'The Birth of Venus'?

The theme celebrates beauty and mythology, embodying Renaissance ideals.

What does Piero della Francesca's 'Flagellation' depict?

explores themes of suffering and redemption, characteristic of Renaissance art.

What is the importance of oil painting in the Renaissance?

Oil painting allowed for richer colors, greater detail, and more flexibility in the artistic process.

What is the Annunciation Triptych?

A painting by Robert Campin created between 1427-1432.

What does 'Hortus conclusus' mean?

Enclosed garden, symbolizing purity.

Who was Albrecht Dürer?

A master woodcut artist and engraver of the late 1400s.

What is a woodcut?

A cheaper printing method allowing for more prints.

What is an engraving?

A more expensive printing method with a smaller print run and finer lines.

Name a notable woodcut by Albrecht Dürer.

Samson, created in 1497-1498.

Name a notable engraving by Albrecht Dürer.

Melancholia, created in 1514.

What were Martin Luther's '95 Theses'?

Grievances against the Church's abuses, published in 1517.

What initiated the Catholic Reformation?

It began in the 1540s as a response to Protestantism.

Who founded the Jesuit order?

Ignatius of Loyola.

What was the Council of Trent?

A council from 1545-1563 that reaffirmed faith and works.

Who was Caravaggio?

An artist known for works like 'The Taking of Christ' and 'Judith Beheading Holofernes.'

What was the peak period for witch trials?

1560-1630.

How many people were tried during the witch trials?

Approximately 100,000.

What was the Transatlantic Slave Trade?

A period from the 1500s to the 1860s where 12.5-12.8 million were forced onto ships.

What was the Roman Inquisition?

An institution established in 1542 to combat heresy.

What was Galileo's conflict with the Church about?

It involved the interpretation of biblical passages related to cosmology.

What was Copernicus's contribution to science?

He proposed a heliocentric model of the universe.

Who was Giordano Bruno?

A philosopher burned at the stake for heresy in 1600.

What is the 'Art of Memory'?

A practice developed for rhetorical training in ancient Greece.

What did Bruno demonstrate in front of Pope Pius V?

He recited Psalm 86 in Hebrew forwards and backwards.

What is the significance of San Domenico Maggiore?

It was a richly decorated church that influenced Bruno's ideas.

What characterized the baroque style in the 17th century?

A secular focus associated with absolutism and royal courts.

Who famously stated, 'I am the state'?

Louis XIV of France.

What was the French Royal Academy of Language and Literature?

A government-sponsored institution in the arts established by Louis XIV.

What is Neoclassicism?

A revival of Classical style and subject matter in art.

Who is referred to as 'la roi soleil'?

The Classical sun god Apollo.

What significant change did Louis XIV make regarding the capital?

He moved the capital from Paris to Versailles.

How long is the palace at Versailles?

2,000 feet long.

How many servants were accommodated at Versailles?

Lodgings for about 1,500 servants.

How many orange trees were at Versailles?

2,000 orange trees.

What is the size of the gardens at Versailles?

7 square miles.

What geometric feature is notable in the gardens at Versailles?

Hedges clipped in geometric shapes.

What was a favorite mechanical device in Baroque gardens?

Sparkling fountains.

How many tulips bloomed annually at Versailles?

More than four million tulips.

What is the length of the Hall of Mirrors?

240 feet long.

Who was Nicholas Poussin?

A painter active from 1594 to 1665.

What was the Thirty Years War?

A religious and political conflict fought primarily in central Europe from 1618 to 1648.

What were the casualties of the Thirty Years War?

8 million casualties, with hundreds of thousands dying from famine and disease.

What was the main conflict in the Thirty Years War?

Protestants vs. Catholics.

What is the 'Restrained Baroque'?

A Protestant rejection of theatrical display in art.

What years did the American Revolution take place?

1775-1783

What document proclaimed American goals during the American Revolution?

The Declaration of Independence

When was the Declaration of Independence signed?

July 4th, 1776

What were the rights asserted in the Declaration of Independence?

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

What was the main cause of the American Revolution according to the colonists?

Unconstitutional taxation without representation

What was the outcome of the French Revolution in 1789?

Formation of the National Constituent Assembly and end of royal despotism

What document did the National Constituent Assembly approve in 1789?

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen

What were the key principles of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen?

Liberty, equality, fraternity

Who was the military leader that helped establish the First Republic of Haiti?

Toussaint L'Ouverture

What significant event occurred in Haiti in 1803?

Establishment of the First Republic of Haiti

What was the role of the Estates General in the French Revolution?

It was convened by Louis XVI to address the financial crisis.

What was the Reign of Terror?

A period during the French Revolution marked by mass executions of perceived enemies.

Who staged a coup d'état in France in 1799?

General Napoleon Bonaparte

What was the outcome of Napoleon Bonaparte's coup d'état?

Establishment of the French Empire.

What was the significance of the Haitian Revolution?

It was the first successful slave revolt leading to the establishment of a black republic.

What was the impact of the French Revolution on women?

Women gained certain rights but were still denied votes and citizenship.

What was the main cause of social unrest in France before the French Revolution?

Economic inequality and financial crisis.

What was the role of the bourgeoisie in the French Revolution?

They aligned with the lower classes to challenge the aristocracy.

What was the Napoleonic Code?

A legal code established by Napoleon that included reforms such as full voting rights for all males.

What was the significance of the Treaty of Paris (1763)?

It ended the Seven Years War and affected British colonial policies.

What was the main conflict that triggered the American Revolution?

The conflict between British troops and colonists at Lexington and Concord.

What was the purpose of the Continental Congress convened in 1774?

To represent American interests against British rule.

What was the impact of the American Revolution on the concept of government?

It led to the creation of a written constitution and three branches of government.

What was the artistic contribution of Jacques-Louis David during the Revolution?

He created significant works like 'Oath of Horatii' and 'The Death of Marat'.

What was the significance of the painting 'Liberty Leading the People'?

It symbolized the spirit of the French Revolution.

Who painted 'The Oxbow'?

Thomas Cole.

What was the role of women during the French Revolution?

They gained some rights in marital law and inheritance but were denied voting rights.