AP Art History : Answering other questions about Gothic 2D art

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Art History

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Example Questions

Example Question #63 : 2 D Art

The Christian saint whose iconography includes armor, a spear, and a dragon is __________.

Possible Answers:

Saint Stephen

Saint Andrew

Saint Patrick

Saint George

Correct answer:

Saint George

Explanation:

The cult of Saint George flourished in Western Europe (especially in England and Portugal) and Eastern Europe (especially Georgia and Southern Russia). This widespread devotion made Saint George an extremely significant figure in various kinds of medieval art. The legend of St. George is that he was a Roman soldier who was martyred for his faith, and the Crusades later brought back the story that Saint George had slain a dragon with a spear before his martyrdom.

Example Question #2 : Answering Other Questions About Gothic 2 D Art

Which of the following figures were allowed to be shown as nudes in Medieval art?

Possible Answers:

Adam and Eve

The risen Christ

Greek Gods

Commoners

Correct answer:

Adam and Eve

Explanation:

Medieval art was mostly influenced by the dictates of the Roman Catholic Church, even in secular art. The Christian attitude of shame about the human body meant that art of the time period could not show nudes. One major exception was the depiction of Adam and Eve, who needed to be shown as not realizing they were naked before eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge. Indeed, the story of Adam and Eve was often used to justify the practice of banning of nude religious images to which the images of Adam and Eve were the exception.

Example Question #3 : Answering Other Questions About Gothic 2 D Art

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The work shown here was intended for use by which of the following groups?

Possible Answers:

Jews

Muslims

Christians

Pagans

Correct answer:

Jews

Explanation:

The Golden Haggadah was created in fourteenth century Spain, a religiously diverse part of medieval Europe where Jews, Muslims, and Christians all interacted on a day to day basis. While borrowing from the artistic traditions of other groups, this work was directed entirely towards private use by practitioners of Judaism. A haggadah is the liturgical guide for a Passover seder, recounting the exodus of Jews from Egypt, led by Moses.

Image is in the public domain, accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Enluminure_Sefarade,_Haggadah_a.jpg

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