The Masters and Their Works Quiz | Art

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. A Botticelli masterpiece that was painted c. 1485 was called 'The Birth of _____'. Whose name goes in the blank?

Answer: Venus

One of the key works of the early Renaissance, this Botticelli painting is also referred to sometimes as the 'Venus on a Half Shell.' In it we see the nude Venus, flowing red locks covering her naughtiest parts, looking innocently towards the shoreline. The god of the winds blows her towards land, where a maiden awaits with a cloak, for decency's sake!

2. Parmigianino was one of the great 16th century Mannerist painters. Perhaps his most significant work is called 'Madonna with the ________.' Which two words belong in the blank?

Answer: Long Neck

Though this Parmigianino painting could certainly have been entitled 'Madonna with the Long Baby (or Fingers)', the most spectacular feature of this classic Mannerist piece is the giraffe-like neck of this very unorthodox-looking Virgin Mary. With their desire to do something 'new', the Mannerists might very well be referred to as the first 'modern' painters.

It's a subject for debate...

3. Gian Lorenzo Bernini, a 17th century Italian artist, is often celebrated as one of the greats of sculpture. One of his most famous works is his 'The Ecstasy of St. _______.' Which saint did he describe in marble here?

Answer: Teresa

'The Ecstasy of St. Teresa', which Bernini sculpted between 1645 and 1652, can be found in the Cornaro Chapel, church of Sta Maria della Vittoria, Rome. It captures Teresa in her most personal, divine moment. Teresa was a Spanish nun who claimed to have felt an earthly rapture, when an angel descended from heaven and inundated her with blissful pleasure, care of an arrow from God himself. Quite the claim!

4. If you know much about master Japanese woodblock printer Katsushika Hokusai, then you will have no trouble with this question. '________ in Clear Weather' is perhaps one of his most famous works, printed c1823-9. Which two words fit the blank above?

Answer: Mount Fuji

Hokusai is probably most well known for his series of 'Thirty Six Views of Mount Fuji', of which 'Mount Fuji in Clear Weather' is one. His woodcut designs were classics of the Ukiyo-e (floating world) school of art in 18th-19th century Japan. His work, and the works of other Japanese masters, influenced the Impressionists to do something different!

5. Vladimir Tatlin, one of the leading Russian Constructivist artists of the early 20th century, is best known for his 'Monument to the _____ International.' Which of these ordinal numbers should occupy the blank?

Answer: Third

Tatlin is credited with being the founder of Russian Constructivism, and his 'Monument to the Third International', was to be the masterwork of the movement, a massive sculpture/tower that would be the ultimate marriage of socialism with engineering. Unfortunately, his work never got beyond the model, the largest of which stands about four meters (16 feet) high.

6. One of Spanish artist Diego Vel�zquez's most outstanding works is 'The Water-Seller of ________', a painting done c. 1619. Which of these city names completes the title of this wonderful masterpiece?

Answer: Seville

As Seville was his home, this should not have been a challenge for those who know and love the works of this all-time great master. If you have not viewed this painting, please do so. Notice the detailed lines on the weather-worn face of the water-seller, and the delicate way in which the clay jugs and water-filled glass are rendered. Simply magnifico!

7. One of Italian sculptor Antonio Canova's greatest works is his 'Cupid and _____', to be found in the Mus�e du Louvre, Paris. It depicts the winged Cupid alighting near his love, whose name fills the blank above. Who was this object of Cupid's amorous affection?

Answer: Psyche

Working in the Neo-Classical tradition, Canova's sculpture is a masterwork of perfection, and must be seen in its complete splendor in the Louvre to be fully appreciated. Cupid's wings are still fully extended as he descends near his dying love, Psyche.

Their lips are prepared for an immaculate kiss, as Cupid gently cups his lover's gentle head (and, one other unmentionable item, as well!)

8. Francisco Goya, another Spanish master, completed his massive 'The Third of ____' in 1814, one of his series of paintings called 'The Disasters of War'. The name of which month completes the title?

Answer: May

'The Third of May' is probably one of the two most famous anti-war paintings of all time (alongside Picasso's 'Guernica'.) It depicts several doomed individuals about to be executed by bayonet-bearing soldiers as a frightened and distraught crowd looks on. His other great works aside, Goya's place in art history is secured simply by this painting alone!

9. One of Michelangelo's rare extant paintings, 'The ____ Tondo' is certainly one of the great works of Renaissance painting. Which family's name completes the title of this masterwork from the master sculptor?

Answer: Doni

'The Doni Tondo', so-called because it was a possession of a Florentine family called Doni (and because it's round, thus the 'tondo'), can be viewed now in the Uffizi Gallery, Florence. The perfectly balanced portrait of the Virgin Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus, along with the powerful nudes in the background, give us a foretaste of Michelangelo's later masterwork...the paintings on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

10. One of C�zanne's favorite motifs was a certain mountain he loved in southern France. An example of his many portraits of this geographic feature was his 'Mont ________, Seen from Bellevue', painted c. 1885. Which mountain did C�zanne have a crush on?

Answer: Sainte-Victoire

C�zanne frequently depicted Mont Sainte-Victoire in his early paintings. These works were highly influential on both Picasso and Braque, who initiated the Cubist movement based on features they identified in the works of C�zanne. I find the landscape paintings of Paul C�zanne to be some of the most serene of any works in history. Thank you for having a go at this quiz, please stay tuned for more of the same (and feel free to try my many other art quizzes if you enjoyed it!)

Source: Author thejazzkickazz

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The Masters and Their Works Trivia Quiz

The concept behind this quiz will be fairly simple. I will list an artist and a work of art, but I shall leave out a key word (or two) from the artwork. Your job is to 'fill in the blank'. Only masterworks are included here!

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