Cycloramas Trivia Quiz

Answer: A 360 degree view of the exhibit

The intended effect of the large cylindrical painting is to place the viewer in the midst of the historical event or famous place being displayed in a panoramic setting. The first cyclorama was reportedly put on display after the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) either in Munich, Germany or possibly in Edinburgh, Scotland. Irish inventor Robert Barker is credited with inventing the cyclorama.

Answer: The invention of motion pictures

Cycloramas reached the height of their popularity around the end of the 19th Century. However, by the early 1900s, the motion picture industry began to have a devastating effect on this early form of virtual reality and the number of displays declined significantly. By the beginning of the 21st century only about thirty cycloramas existed worldwide.

Answer: Added all of these

Investors tried many different ideas to compete with the motion picture industry. Sometimes their new concepts met with disastrous results. The wax figures used in the dioramas coupled with the use of pyrotechnics caused several buildings to burn. Besides the advent of motion pictures, other factors led to the demise of cycloramas including transportation costs, the need to have a uniquely shaped building, and the expense of producing the artwork. By 1930 most cycloramas had disappeared.

Answer: Mississippi

Panoramic artists would re-create scenes that most people would never be able to see in person. The cyclorama depicting the Mississippi River allowed patrons to take a three mile round trip tour in a tunnel surrounded by massive artwork that illustrated the mighty river from its start at Lake Itasca to the fertile delta in Louisiana.

Answer: The Amish and Mennonite people

"Behalt" means "to keep or remember". Referred to as the "Sistine Chapel of the Amish and Mennonites" this display presents the history of this religious group from their Anabaptist beginning in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1525, to their settlement in modern day America.

Answer: Battle of Gettysburg

Paul Dominique Philippoteaux, a French artist who was famous for creating many panoramic paintings, visited the battlefield several times, took many panoramic photos and hired over twenty assistants to help him in his project. The 365 by 42 feet painting first appeared in Boston drawing huge crowds.

It was removed in 1891 and laid in unprotected storage for over eighteen years. After it was rediscovered it was sent to Gettysburg where it was displayed in an unheated building for over forty-five years.

In 1962 it was moved to a better yet still inadequate facility. Finally in 2003 serious restoration and preservation of this masterpiece finally began along with the development of a state-of-the-art climate-controlled facility. It is on display at the Gettysburg National Military Park Cyclorama Center.

Answer: St. Anne de Beaupré, Canada

Paul Philippoteaux was also chosen the leading artist in this project. In 1882, after four years of work the painting was finished in Munich. 110 meters (360 feet) long and 14 meters (45 feet) high, the painting was shown throughout Europe before being displayed in Montreal. In 1895 it was set up as a permanent exhibition in St. Anne de Beaupré.

Answer: Panoramic View of the Palace and Gardens of Versailles

American artist John Vanderlyn, who painted it in 1818 and 1819, first displayed his masterpiece near New York's city hall. After a lukewarm response he attempted to make some money by taking the cyclorama on tour. After his death the artwork was given to the Metropolitan Museum.

The size of the cyclorama is 12 feet X 136 feet (3.6 X 59.5 meters) and is displayed in the American Wing of the museum.

Answer: Napoleon Bonaparte

This cyclorama was created in 1912 by artist Louis Dumoulin and is 360 feet long and 39 feet high. The display, now enhanced by quadraphonic sound, depicts the last battle of Napoleon Bonaparte. This defeat ended his rule as emperor of France. The panoramic painting is displayed in the original building erected for that purpose in 1912.

Answer: He wanted to boost his political fortunes

The cyclorama is housed in a museum in Grant Park in Atlanta. Logan commissioned the painting to help him in his political campaign for vice-president of the US in 1884. The cyclorama was created in Milwaukee Wisconsin by a team of artists led by F.W.

Heine and August Lohr. Eventually the painting became a part of a traveling circus. Ironically the circus went bankrupt while in Atlanta, Georgia. Few Georgians paid to see the painting that depicted a biased view of the harsh Union victory that eventually led to Atlanta's destruction and that promoted the heroic exploits of would-be vice-president Logan.

The circus owner sold all his animals and belongings to pay off his debts. The animals were used to start the Atlanta Zoo and the cyclorama went on display next to the zoo. Today the 42 feet-high and 358 feet-long masterpiece remains on display at the original site in a state-of-the-art facility.