Western Art- Art AcDec
Q: What is aesthetics in art?
A: A philosophical inquiry into the nature and expression of beauty.
Q: What is art criticism?
A: Explanation of current art events to the general public via the press.
Q: What are the two main methods of art analysis?
A: Formal analysis and contextual analysis.
Q: What does formal analysis focus on?
A: Visual qualities and techniques used in the artwork.
Q: What does contextual analysis focus on?
A: Cultural, social, religious, and economic context of the artwork.
Q: What is patronage in art?
A: Financial support given to artists, sometimes with creative freedom or strict instructions.
Q: Why is art history organized chronologically?
A: It assumes each generation influences the next, impacting art.
Q: What is comparative study in art history?
A: Comparing artworks from different eras to see development and influence.
Q: Why is direct observation of artwork preferred?
A: Reproductions often lose color, texture, and detail, affecting formal analysis.
Q: Who was Pliny the Elder?
A: An ancient Roman who analyzed art in “Natural History.”
Q: Who was Giorgio Vasari?
A: A Renaissance writer who documented Italian artists in “The Lives of the Artists.”
Q: Who was Johann Joachim Winckelmann?
A: A German scholar who emphasized rigorous study of stylistic development.
Q: What factors affect how art is perceived?
A: Social status, religion, race, gender, education, and access to art.
Q: Why do some artworks survive and others don't?
A: Material durability, climate, elite valuation, and museum acquisition.
Q: What is the Venus of Willendorf?
A: A small stone fertility figure from c. 28,000–25,000 BCE.
Q: What are ziggurats?
A: Step-pyramid temples in Mesopotamia used for religious and administrative purposes.
Q: What is the Ishtar Gate?
A: A decorated gateway to a Babylonian temple, known for its blue glazed bricks.
Q: What is hierarchical scale in Egyptian art?
A: Important figures are depicted larger than others.
Q: What is fractional representation in Egyptian art?
A: Each body part is shown clearly and separately (e.g., profile face, frontal torso).
Q: What was the Palace at Persepolis?
A: A Persian structure influenced by Egyptian architecture with stone, brick, and wood.
Q: What is contrapposto?
A: A stance where a figure shifts weight onto one leg, giving a naturalistic pose.
Q: What are the three Greek column types?
A: Doric (plain), Ionic (scrolls), Corinthian (ornate).
Q: What happened to Roman art after the empire split?
A: It evolved into Byzantine (East) and Medieval (West) styles.
Q: What is the Hagia Sophia famous for?
A: Its massive dome and fusion of central and longitudinal architecture.
Q: What characterizes Byzantine art?
A: Abstract, flat style, mosaics, and religious iconography.
Q: What characterizes Gothic architecture?
A: Tall spires, ribbed vaults, flying buttresses, and rose windows.
Q: What was Giotto di Bondone known for?
A: Frescoes that used perspective to create a lifelike narrative.
Q: Who are key artists of the High Italian Renaissance?
A: Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael.
Q: What is Mannerism in art?
A: Distortion of scale and perspective for dramatic effect.
Q: What is chiaroscuro?
A: Use of strong contrasts between light and dark to create depth and focus.