Art History Exam With Correct Answers
2024
Why is it important to study Art History? - correct answers-Will broaden anyone's
understanding of both art and other cultures. In order to be properly understood, the
visual arts must be placed within their historical, social, and developmental contexts.
Helpful in attempting to communicate a Christian worldview.
According to the author, what is a key to unraveling the meaning of a work of art? -
correct answers-Context
What are some phrases used by the author to define art? - correct answers-
Propaganda, fun, integral part of daily life, communicating using a visual language
According to the author, is it possible to establish a set of aesthetic criteria that all artists
would agree upon? (Why or why not?) - correct answers-No. Different artists/ people
value different things, and believe different things are beautiful or considered art.
Be familiar with a few good quotes on Art: - correct answers-"As our world has come to
appear less stable and more fragmented, theories about what is true, good, or beautiful
have come to stress the relative nature of aesthetic concepts rather than seeing them
as unchangeable and eternal." Janson
"We must never forget that feeling, order, and imagination are all present in every work
of art: without imagination, it would be deadly dull; without some degree of order, it
would be chaotic; without feeling, it would leave us unmoved." Janson
Name three aesthetic stances in the arts that relate to Janson's three qualities needed
in a work of
Art. - correct answers-1. Mimesis Theory: art as imitation (hands)
2. Expressionism Theory: emphasize feeling/emotion (heart)
3. Formalism Theory: emphasis on structure (head)
What are some conclusions we could make about a definition of art? - correct answers-
a. Avoid pre-judging works of art without understanding another artist's purposes.
B. All works cannot be judged by the same evaluation criteria.
C. Feeling, imagination, and order should be key ingredients to the creation of a work
of art.
D. Art must include the use of the heart, hands, and head
, Chapter 1 - correct answers-Prehistoric Art
When and where was Prehistoric art first discovered by modern man? - correct
answers-In 1878 in a cave Altamira (in Santilla del Mar), in Spain by Maria De Sautuola
According to Janson, when did man first begin to create works of art (period and date)?
- correct answers-40,000 B.C. (Upper Paleolithic)
Historians divide the broad span of Prehistory into 3 major periods. Name them. -
correct answers-1. Paleolithic Stone Age (Old): 2mil - 10,000 BC
2. Mesolithic Stone Age (Middle): 10,000 - 8,000 BC
3. Neolithic Stone Age (New): 8,000 - 2,000 BC
According to historians, what is the earliest date assigned to Prehistoric cave paintings
(what cave)? - correct answers-30,000 BC, Chauvet Cave, France
Name at least three suggested purposes for cave paintings - correct answers-More than
decoration, magico religious: power over animal, success in hunting, stimulate
fertility/food supply
Describe the process and type of materials cave artists used when creating cave
paintings. - correct answers-Illuminated with oil lamps, scaffolds to reach top
ceilings/walls, surfaced prepped by scraping Limestone, images engraved with sharp
flint, outlined with charcoal or charred bones, various minerals from nature: powder
pigments, powders mixed with binders: cave water, saliva, egg whites, animal fat,
interior painted, "home made brushes" - feathers, chewed sticks, moss/fur, mineral
powders blown through hollow tubes (primitive airbrush)
Compare the Lascaux, Altamira, and Chauvet Prehistoric Caves by identifying a couple
of "claims to fame" for each cave. - correct answers-Lascaux: most famous Paleolithic
cave paintings, carbon dioxide damaged the paintings, 1983: Replica, Lascaux II,
"Sistine Chapel" of Prehistoric art
Altamira: first place that cave paintings were discovered in 1878, little girl Maria De
Sautuola, Santillana, Spain, (paintings from 13,000 BC)
Chauvet: 1994, prehistoric paintings to 30,000 BC, greatest variety of animals in black
and red outlines (427 animals, 17 species), controversy: animals seem more
sophisticated
Explain two possible reasons (purposes) for the construction of the Stonehenge. -
correct answers-Calendar Theory, Healing/Pilgrimage Site
2024
Why is it important to study Art History? - correct answers-Will broaden anyone's
understanding of both art and other cultures. In order to be properly understood, the
visual arts must be placed within their historical, social, and developmental contexts.
Helpful in attempting to communicate a Christian worldview.
According to the author, what is a key to unraveling the meaning of a work of art? -
correct answers-Context
What are some phrases used by the author to define art? - correct answers-
Propaganda, fun, integral part of daily life, communicating using a visual language
According to the author, is it possible to establish a set of aesthetic criteria that all artists
would agree upon? (Why or why not?) - correct answers-No. Different artists/ people
value different things, and believe different things are beautiful or considered art.
Be familiar with a few good quotes on Art: - correct answers-"As our world has come to
appear less stable and more fragmented, theories about what is true, good, or beautiful
have come to stress the relative nature of aesthetic concepts rather than seeing them
as unchangeable and eternal." Janson
"We must never forget that feeling, order, and imagination are all present in every work
of art: without imagination, it would be deadly dull; without some degree of order, it
would be chaotic; without feeling, it would leave us unmoved." Janson
Name three aesthetic stances in the arts that relate to Janson's three qualities needed
in a work of
Art. - correct answers-1. Mimesis Theory: art as imitation (hands)
2. Expressionism Theory: emphasize feeling/emotion (heart)
3. Formalism Theory: emphasis on structure (head)
What are some conclusions we could make about a definition of art? - correct answers-
a. Avoid pre-judging works of art without understanding another artist's purposes.
B. All works cannot be judged by the same evaluation criteria.
C. Feeling, imagination, and order should be key ingredients to the creation of a work
of art.
D. Art must include the use of the heart, hands, and head
, Chapter 1 - correct answers-Prehistoric Art
When and where was Prehistoric art first discovered by modern man? - correct
answers-In 1878 in a cave Altamira (in Santilla del Mar), in Spain by Maria De Sautuola
According to Janson, when did man first begin to create works of art (period and date)?
- correct answers-40,000 B.C. (Upper Paleolithic)
Historians divide the broad span of Prehistory into 3 major periods. Name them. -
correct answers-1. Paleolithic Stone Age (Old): 2mil - 10,000 BC
2. Mesolithic Stone Age (Middle): 10,000 - 8,000 BC
3. Neolithic Stone Age (New): 8,000 - 2,000 BC
According to historians, what is the earliest date assigned to Prehistoric cave paintings
(what cave)? - correct answers-30,000 BC, Chauvet Cave, France
Name at least three suggested purposes for cave paintings - correct answers-More than
decoration, magico religious: power over animal, success in hunting, stimulate
fertility/food supply
Describe the process and type of materials cave artists used when creating cave
paintings. - correct answers-Illuminated with oil lamps, scaffolds to reach top
ceilings/walls, surfaced prepped by scraping Limestone, images engraved with sharp
flint, outlined with charcoal or charred bones, various minerals from nature: powder
pigments, powders mixed with binders: cave water, saliva, egg whites, animal fat,
interior painted, "home made brushes" - feathers, chewed sticks, moss/fur, mineral
powders blown through hollow tubes (primitive airbrush)
Compare the Lascaux, Altamira, and Chauvet Prehistoric Caves by identifying a couple
of "claims to fame" for each cave. - correct answers-Lascaux: most famous Paleolithic
cave paintings, carbon dioxide damaged the paintings, 1983: Replica, Lascaux II,
"Sistine Chapel" of Prehistoric art
Altamira: first place that cave paintings were discovered in 1878, little girl Maria De
Sautuola, Santillana, Spain, (paintings from 13,000 BC)
Chauvet: 1994, prehistoric paintings to 30,000 BC, greatest variety of animals in black
and red outlines (427 animals, 17 species), controversy: animals seem more
sophisticated
Explain two possible reasons (purposes) for the construction of the Stonehenge. -
correct answers-Calendar Theory, Healing/Pilgrimage Site
