AP Art History : Answering other questions about Early Christian, Byzantine, and Early Medieval 2D art

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Art History

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Answering Other Questions About Early Christian, Byzantine, And Early Medieval 2 D Art

Meister von san vitale in ravenna 003

The men placed to the right of the central figure in this work of art are ___________________.

Possible Answers:

political advisers

a royal family

military officers

members of the clergy

Correct answer:

members of the clergy

Explanation:

The Justinian Panel, shown here and placed in the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravena, Italy, portrays the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I surrounded by important officials. To the left of the work (on the Emperor's right hand side) are military and political officials, while to the right of the work (on the left of the Emperor) are religious and church leaders. In addition to their positioning, the figures on the right of the work are clad in white robes with incense, shawls, and sacred texts, all traditional trappings of the clergy.

Image accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Emperor_Justinian_%26_entourage_in_St_Vitale,_Ravenna.JPG

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