AP Art History : Ancient Through Medieval Sculpture

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Art History

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Example Questions

Example Question #7 : Understanding Terminology That Describes Ancient Grecian And Roman Sculpture

Etruscan art has a strong relationship to Greek and Mediterranean cultures. The majority of Etruscan art was created out of _________________.

Possible Answers:

terra cotta

dried river mud

sheet rock

marble

Correct answer:

terra cotta

Explanation:

The Etruscans preferred terra cotta over other forms because of the importance to tombs and funeral markers which were made from terra cotta (baked clay). This art form emphasized ornament and display, which was important in their culture along with signifying the importance of the dead.

Example Question #31 : 3 D Art

In sculpture, the term ______________ describes a human figure who stands with its weight on one leg, creating a distinctive S-curve shift in the hips and shoulders.

Possible Answers:

cantilever

calcagnolo

contrapposto

chiaroscuro

Correct answer:

contrapposto

Explanation:

"Contrapposto," Italian for "counterpose," refers to the shift in weight in the figure's pose.

Example Question #621 : Ap Art History

A ____________ statue takes the form of a pillar with a head on top. 

Possible Answers:

bust

Herm

portrait

mythological

Correct answer:

Herm

Explanation:

The name "Herm" comes from this type of sculpture's original subject, the god Hermes. These sculptures were first made to protect places like crossroads and doorways, but by the Hellenistic and Roman periods, their subject matter expanded to include a wide range of portraits, including famous people and the god Dionysos.

Example Question #622 : Ap Art History

The nude male figures produced during the Archaic period of Greek art are known as _________________.

Possible Answers:

kouros/kouroi

anthemion/anthemia

kore/korai

Archaistic/Archaizing

Correct answer:

kouros/kouroi

Explanation:

Male sculptures produced during the Archaic period are known as kouroi (sing. kouros). Female figures in this style are known as korai (sing. kore). Archaistic or Archaizing statues are objects produced after the end of the Archaic period (c. 480 BCE) in an Archaic style. Anthemia (sing. anthemion) refers to the decoration carved on the top of a stela, usually in the form of a palmette.

Example Question #33 : Ancient Grecian And Roman Sculpture

The term _______________ refers to sculptures carved in the Archaic style after the end of the Archaic period, c. 480 BCE.

Possible Answers:

Roman

Hellenistic

Classical

Archaistic

Correct answer:

Archaistic

Explanation:

Sculptures that intentionally emulate the older Archaic style are known as Archaistic.

Example Question #34 : Ancient Grecian And Roman Sculpture

_________________ portraits attempt to show the subject as realistically as possible, even capturing features like wrinkles or baldness.

Possible Answers:

Naturalism

Verism

Idealism

Realism

Correct answer:

Verism

Explanation:

"Verism" is the term used to describe very realistic Roman portraits specifically. 

Example Question #631 : Ap Art History

A __________________ is a common type of Roman sculpture which depicts a male citizen wearing a toga.

Possible Answers:

Equestrian

Paludamentum

Kouros

Togatus

Correct answer:

Togatus

Explanation:

"Togatus" is the general term for a statue of a male Roman wearing a toga. A "paludamentum" is a general's cloak sometimes worn by subjects in Roman sculptures. "Kouros" refers to a type of male sculpture produced in the Greek Archaic period. "Equestrian" statues depict their subjects mounted on a horse.

Example Question #15 : Understanding Terminology That Describes Ancient Grecian And Roman Sculpture

Encaustic refers to a process of painting with _______________.

Possible Answers:

hot wax

egg yolk

clay

olive oil

Correct answer:

hot wax

Explanation:

"Encaustic" painting uses hot wax and pigment. It was commonly used for both panel paintings and painting stone sculpture.

Example Question #16 : Understanding Terminology That Describes Ancient Grecian And Roman Sculpture

In a clipeus portrait, the subject projects forward from a ________________.

Possible Answers:

rosette

window

shell

round shield

Correct answer:

round shield

Explanation:

The term "clipeus" means round shield in Latin. This type of portrait was sometimes used to depict rulers or notable figures in Hellenistic and Roman art.

Example Question #36 : Ancient Grecian And Roman Sculpture

A _____________ is the base of a statue.

Possible Answers:

stand

support

pin

plinth

Correct answer:

plinth

Explanation:

The plinth is the "floor" or bottom of a state, which might then be set into a separately carved statue base.

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