Western Art: 4000BC - 2000AD Trivia Quiz

Answer: Barrel vault

The vaulting technique was not developed until the Romans perfected the use of concrete, long after the Temple of Aman-Re was erected.

Answer: The original bronze sculptures had intrinsic value and were melted

The Greeks preferred working in bronze. Many of the Greek sculptures we have today are marble Roman copies of original Greek bronzes. The bronzes were melted and sold during times of economic hardship.

Answer: Between the two libraries

The column, commemorating Trajan's military victories, stood between the libraries, behind the basilica.

Answer: Crucifixion was considered a shameful way to die

Death had been depicted in art for centuries (eg, some Greek mythological scenes). Idolatry wasn't a very large concern until the Iconoclastic Controversy, after the Early Christian era. Crucifixion was considered a shameful way to die; an image that Christians didn't want to project while they were still a growing religion.

Answer: Justinian

In the Byzantine Empire, the Emperor was considered the link between the people and God, and was depicted in many religious works. A priest, Maximianus, is present in the scene, but is not the figure described in the question.

Answer: To depict Islamic Paradise

Muslim artists used floral and aquatic elements to try and create a feeling of 'paradise' in their art.

Answer: Hiberno-Saxon monks

During the Migration (c. 600-800ad), monks in monasteries in Western Europe made manuscript pages with intricate detail, meant to be observed very closely as an act of piety.

Answer: The Carolingian Era

The Torhalle, a gatehouse in Lorsch, Germany, was built in the ninth century, during the Carolingian Era.

Answer: Romanesque

Saint-Etienne, begun in the 11th century, contains many Romanesque elements, such as buttresses and a ribbed, tripartite vault.

Answer: It was built after 1450 AD

The interior of the Arena Chapel was decorated with frescoes by the artist Giotto di Bondone, from the Late Gothic period.

Answer: Jan Van Eyck

The portrait of Giovanni Arnolfini and his wife was painted by Jan Van Eyck, a Flemish painter from the 15th century.

Answer: Michelangelo's David

David was like a mascot of Florence during the Renaissance; tension with Pisa brought forth the need for an image of bravery and strength. Michelangelo's David was originally supposed to stand high atop the Florentine Cathedral.

Answer: Propagandistic

During a rather shaky financial time, this rarely-depicted biblical scene of Christ giving money to the tax collector was supposed to send the message: "Our Savior pays taxes, so should you."

Answer: Titian

The other three produced these Manneristic pieces, among others: Michelangelo's Laurentian Library Staircase, Pontormo's "Descent from the Cross", El Greco's "Burial of Count Orgaz."

Answer: Genre Scene

The informal poses and everyday subject makes "Hunters in the Snow" a perfect example of a genre scene.

Answer: Its figures are informally posed

Earlier Dutch group portraiture was much more formally posed; it looked much like a school class photo.

Answer: Georgione's "The Tempest"

Georgione's "The Tempest" is a High Renaissance painting.

Answer: It usually depicted women only

Rococo art did not depict women only, as they were usually of male/female couples and had sexual overtones.

Answer: Liberty Leading the People

"Liberty Leading the People" was painted by Delacroix, and was Romantic, not Neoclassic.

Answer: It fits into the period of Romanticism

The Romantic "Third of May, 1808" is the scene of an historic event in which Napoleonic soldiers slaughtered townspeople. Goya shows the soldiers from behind, giving the enemy no face, in order to focus on the victims, some of whom have already been killed.

Answer: Paris, France

The streets of Paris were in such dreadful condition that the mayor ordered a reform in which all buildings were to be built to a standard height, and the streets were to be widened.

Answer: Paul Gauguin

Gauguin traveled to Tahiti to paint pictures of the young women there.

Answer: De Stijl

De Stijl ("The Style"), was a movement started by such Mondrian paintings as "Composition in Red, Blue, and Yellow."

Answer: Dada

Dada began in the first half of the 20th century, Color Field began in the 1950s, Pop Art begain in the 1960s, and Photorealism began in the 1980s.

Answer: An American soldier

The American fighter pilot (red, white, and blue), is shooting down the communist pilot (red and black). The American bears a hateful facial expression, possibly sending the message that the enemy isn't the only monster in war.