Art History 1-3 Chapter Review

  • In ancient Egyptian art, which of the following subjects are portrayed more naturalistically?
    Answer: Animals and lower-status individuals (like servants and workers) were typically depicted more naturalistically.

  • Egyptian artistic conventions employed composite poses to depict __________.
    Answer: Human figures (especially royalty and gods) — with heads in profile, eyes frontal, torsos frontal, and legs in profile.

  • In the Palette of Narmer, which of the following symbolizes Lower Egypt?
    Answer: The papyrus plant and the red crown (Deshret) symbolize Lower Egypt.

  • Who unified Upper and Lower Egypt into one kingdom?
    Answer: Narmer (also known as Menes).

  • Why is Upper Egypt in the south and Lower Egypt in the north?
    Answer: Because the Nile River flows from south to north, so "Upper Egypt" refers to higher elevations (southern Nile), and "Lower Egypt" refers to the Nile Delta (north).

  • Egypt was ruled by a succession of kings from powerful families called __________.
    Answer: Dynasties.

  • Who was the most well-known Neo-Babylonian ruler?
    Answer: Nebuchadnezzar II.

  • In the Stele of Naram-Sin, Naram-Sin can be identified as the most important figure in the composition due to __________.
    Answer: Hieratic scale (he is shown as larger than the others) and his elevated position on the mountain.

  • The Votive Statues from Tell Asmar, Iraq, are best described as __________.
    Answer: Stylized, devotional figures with large eyes meant to represent eternal worship.

  • The Sumerians worshiped many gods, among them the goddess of love and war, called _________.
    Answer: Inanna (also known as Ishtar in later Akkadian tradition).

  • The stepped pyramidal structures in Sumer are called _________.
    Answer: Ziggurats.

  • The form of Mesopotamian writing that uses wedge-shaped marks is called __________.
    Answer: Cuneiform.

  • Which two great rivers run through Mesopotamia?
    Answer: Tigris and Euphrates.

  • The term “Mesopotamia” means land __________.
    Answer: “Between the rivers”.

  • One fundamental change that marked the beginning of the Neolithic period was the __________.
    Answer: Development of agriculture (farming and domestication of animals).

  • The earliest-known prehistoric cave paintings are located at __________.
    Answer: Chauvet Cave in France.

  • Female figurines from the Paleolithic period most likely exaggerated female attributes to emphasize:
    Answer: Fertility and reproductive capabilities.

  • Most carved human figures from the Paleolithic period depict __________.
    Answer: Women.

  • A statue carved free of any background or block is called a __________.
    Answer: Sculpture in the round.

  • Which of the following is incorporated into the composition of Spotted Horses and Human Hands?
    Answer: Hand stencils created by blowing pigment around the hand.