Humanities Art Mix Trivia Quiz

Answer: Dubuffet

Jean Dubuffet was born in Le Havre, France, in 1901, and died in 1985. The painting was created on canvas with an oil emulsion in water. It features Dubuffet's interpretation of himself lying in a bed with two books, a newspaper, and a pack of cigarettes.

As of 2022, it was being displayed at The Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Other notable paintings by Dubuffet include "l'Hourloupe" and "Soul of the Underground."

Answer: Eumenides

Not to be confused with the 16th century philosopher of the same name, Bacon was 20th century artist born in Ireland in 1909. "Dog" is an oil based painting on canvas. Aeschylus, the ancient Greek playwright, wrote "Oresteia", a trilogy of tragedies, and the Eumenides, known as "The Gracious Ones" or the "Furies," tracked down Orestes for a murder he committed in order to restore order and justice.

These characters were depicted as grotesque and fearsome beings that were sent from the underworld to restore the natural order of the world.

They were often depicted as being covered in black, with snakes entangled in their hair and blood coming out of their eyes.

Answer: Saarinen

Eero Saarinen was born in Finland in 1910 and later became an American citizen in 1940. The chair was called the "Tulip chair" because, unlike most chairs having multiple legs, this one has a round base with a single leg protruding up, making it look like a sprouting flower.

The original Tulip chair's base was made from aluminum and its frame was made out of fiberglass. It had red leather fabric and a white frame. The chair was designed to act as a counterpart for a dining table.

Answer: Twombly

Cy Twombly was an American painter born in Virginia in 1928. "Leda and the Swan" was an oil painting with crayons and pencil work. It was inspired by an ancient Greek story where Zeus takes the appearance of a swan and courts and eventually assaults Leda, a Spartan queen.

Answer: T.S. Eliot

Eliot, born in 1888 in St. Louis, Missouri, was one of the best known poets of the 20th century. "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" was his first published poem, and it was heavily influenced by Dante Alighieri and William Shakespeare. In the poem, the narrator appears to be having some sort of existential crisis while pondering life's day to day banalities. An example is of this is the following verses:

"And time yet for a hundred indecisions,
And for a hundred visions and revisions,
Before the taking of a toast and tea"

Answer: Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan's first album was released in 1962, and he continued to record albums all the way up to 2016 when he accepted the prize. Many of Dylan's song lyrics can be read as poems, such as "Desolation Row," and "Blowin' in the Wind." Dylan was the first musician to win the award, and his selection was met with disdain from many who said that songwriters are not worthy of being considered for such a prestigious honor.

Answer: Walt Whitman

Whitman lived from 1819-1892. He was 41 years old when Lincoln was elected as the 16th president of the United States. Whitman, a humanist, was against slavery, and shared many of Lincoln's views. Whitman was saddened by the news of Lincoln's death, and he wrote this poem in honor of the fallen president. Whitman is perhaps best known for his collection of poems entitled "Leaves of Grass" initially published in 1855.

Answer: True

Saarinen designed the Arch in 1947, and it was completed in 1965 before being opened to the public in 1967. It is situated along the Mississippi River, and at its highest peak reaches 630 feet. Upon its completion, it became the world's largest arch. Known as "the Gateway to the West," the arch symbolizes the western expansion of the United States.

Answer: True

Pei was born and raised in China, but moved to the United States in 1935 at the age of 18 to go to college. Completed in 1995, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is one of Pei's various creations, along with the Bank of China, and it is dedicated to the musicians who have made a significant impact on rock music. Pei lived to the ripe age of 102 when he died in 2019.

Answer: Grant Wood

Wood painted this on beaverboard in 1930. Wood, who grew up in Iowa, noticed the house while he was being driven around by his friend, and sketched the house on an envelope. The two people depicted on the painting are actually Wood's sister and his dentist.

He had them dress up as the people he envisioned in his mind who would live in such a house surrounded by a farm, and the result is what you see on the painting.