Fantastic Marbles Quiz | Art

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What is the armless statue known as the Venus de Milo thought to have held in its left hand?

Answer: Apple

Discovered in 1820, in a farmer's field, the Venus de Milo was found with both arms intact. She held an apple in her left hand. Both arms were broken off and have been lost. The exact circumstances surrounding this occurrence are a matter of debate. This beautiful marble sculpture is around six feet eight inches tall (203 cm), and is thought to have been created around 100 B.C.

The sculptor is also a matter of debate, but most scholars believe it to be the creation of Alexandros of Antioch.

2. Many famous sculptures are the effort of more than one sculptor, at different periods in time.

Answer: True

Many sculptures are the result of the work of more than one artist. This beautiful sculpture known as "Hermaphroditus Asleep" is a Roman sculpture made of Greek marble around the second century. The marble mattress was made in 1619 by Italian sculptor Gianlorenzo Bernini.

The mattress is so well carved that viewers used to touch it to see whether it was real or made of marble. Many old sculptures have been copied, repaired, put back together, or are a combination of two different works.

3. "The Kiss" is a marble statue that depicts characters from which piece of literature?

Answer: "Inferno" by Dante Alighieri

"The Kiss" is an 1889 sculpture by noted French sculptor Auguste Rodin. It is a depiction of characters from Dante's "Inferno". This book can be seen in the hand of the male depicted in the sculpture. While it is named "The Kiss", the lips of the man and woman do not actually touch. This is thought to depict that both characters died before their lips ever touched.

4. "The Pieta" is one of Michelangelo's first commissioned sculptures.

Answer: True

"The Pieta", created by Michelangelo, is a depiction of the Virgin May holding her dying son in her arms. Before making this sculpture, Michelangelo was not very well known. He was only in his early 20s when he was commissioned to make this sculpture. Using a single slab of marble, he spent the next two years sculpting "The Pieta".

This is the only one of Michelangelo's works which bears his signature.

5. This exquisite marble chariot clock depicts Clio, the Greek muse of which of the following?

Answer: History

This lovely marble sculpture by Carlo Franzoni depicts Clio, the Greek muse of history. He worked her emblematic scrolls into the sculpture and used the soft texture of freshly mined marble to make the fabric appear to billow in the wind.

6. When the marble sculpture known as "Laocoon and his Sons" was found buried in a vineyard in 1506, the Pope sent which great artist to the location to examine it?

Answer: Michelangelo

This fantastic sculpture was pulled from the ground at an Italian vineyard in 1506. The pope immediately sent Michelangelo to verify its authenticity and quality. It is a wonderful example of Hellenistic art. It depicts the Trojan priest Laocoon and his two sons while they are being attacked by large sea serpents.

The name of the artist, where it was originally located, and who commissioned the sculpture are unknown. These facts are a matter of scholarly debate. The incident depicted was described in the "Aeneid" by the Roman poet Virgil.

7. Marble has often been used to make draped female figures, used as columns. What is the name of these beautiful works of art?

Answer: Caryatid

Sculptured female figures that serve as ornamental support in place of a column are known as caryatids. They were commonly used in ancient Greece and Rome, as well throughout Europe during the Renaissance. Male supporting figures like these are known as atlantes. Caryatids with baskets on their heads are known as
canephorae.

8. This sculpture, known as "The Resting Satyr", is usually attributed to which of the following men?

Answer: Praxiteles

"The Resting Satyr" is just one of the many ancient marble sculptures attributed to Praxiteles. There are over 100 marble sculptures depicting fawns that are attributed to this great Greek sculptor. Most ancient sculptures are not signed anywhere, making it very difficult to know who created them. Also, it was quite common to make many copies of statues that were considered elite. Satyrs were a commonly carved subject for statues, easily identified by their pointy ears.

9. Which of the following Italian artists created this lovely piece of art, entitled "Psyche Revived by the Kiss of Love"?

Answer: Antonio Canova

Antonio Canova (1757-1822) is considered by many to be the greatest of all sculptors of the Neoclassical era. He used the natural translucency of marble to great effect, making his sculpture seem to glow with life. Many of his sculptures are known for their delicacy and intricate detail.

10. In 1620, this statue, known as the "Barberini Faun", was discovered in which of the following locations?

Answer: In a castle moat

In 1620, the "Barberini Faun" was found in the bottom of a castle moat near Rome, while repairs were being made. The artist is a matter of debate, and the statue has been heavily restored, as it was heavily damaged when found. This is a prime example of a life-size sculpture carved out of a solid stone.

Many of us find it hard to imagine how someone can make a rock come alive, such as this unknown artist did.

Source: Author dcpddc478

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor looney_tunes before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Fantastic Marbles Trivia Quiz

Here are ten marble sculptures and questions about them. Some of the world's most famous sculpture are made from the luminescent stone known as marble.

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>