AP Art History : Ancient Through Medieval Sculpture

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Art History

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Example Questions

Example Question #71 : Ancient Through Medieval Sculpture

The Riace Warriors are a clear example of contrapposto. What does that tell us about their posture?

Reggio calabria museo nazionale bronzi di riace

Possible Answers:

They are meant to be viewed from the side

They are standing, and most of their weight is on one foot

They are standing, and their arms were poised to hold weapons

They are recumbent

They are posed as mirror opposites of each other

Correct answer:

They are standing, and most of their weight is on one foot

Explanation:

While these statues may well have held weapons once, the term contrapposto denotes a specific technique first used in ancient Greek sculpture. It describes a posture wherein most of a statue’s weight rests on one foot, leading to a more natural, relaxed pose. Contrapposto also usually results in a more lifelike stance for the torso and arms as well.

(Image taken from the public domain: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/Reggio_calabria_museo_nazionale_bronzi_di_riace.jpg)

Example Question #72 : Ancient Through Medieval Sculpture

The Riace Warriors were created using what method?

Reggio calabria museo nazionale bronzi di riace

Possible Answers:

Assemblage

Lost-wax

Plaster of Paris

Tin casting

Chiseling

Correct answer:

Lost-wax

Explanation:

From the Archaic period on, many ancient Greek bronze statues were created using the complex, multi-step lost-wax casting process. In this process, a series of molds are created using wax and clay and molten bronze is poured into the final set of molds. This technique continues to be used today, and it often allows for greater creativity than earlier sculpting methods.

(Image taken from the public domain: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/Reggio_calabria_museo_nazionale_bronzi_di_riace.jpg)

Example Question #73 : Ancient Through Medieval Sculpture

Statue augustus

The work shown here represents a ________________.

Possible Answers:

Biblical Figure

Christian Saint

Roman Emperor

Greek Deity

Correct answer:

Roman Emperor

Explanation:

This statue, the Augustus of Prima Porta, is a classic Roman sculpture of the Emperor Augustus Caesar. Carved in marble, the statue presents Augustus in the armor of Roman General, but posed and shaped in a way as to evoke the Roman gods. The Romans had a belief that the Caesars became gods upon their death, a belief fostered by the construction of temples by their successors.

Image accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Statue-Augustus.jpg

Example Question #74 : Ancient Through Medieval Sculpture

Who did the Greeks often model their sculptures after? 

Possible Answers:

Animals

Beautiful women 

Gods/deities

Young athletes

Correct answer:

Young athletes

Explanation:

Greek sculptures modeled their sculptures after young, Green athletes. The athletes competed in their sports naked, allowing the sculpture to see their strong, muscular, athletic form in motion.

Example Question #75 : Ancient Grecian And Roman Sculpture

________________ was the sculptor responsible for the massive sculptures decorating the Parthenon in Athens.

Possible Answers:

Praxiteles

Lysippus

Phidias

Scopas

Correct answer:

Phidias

Explanation:

Phidias is one of the most well-known Greek sculptors. Phidias was responsible for the strategy behind the decoration of the Parthenon. One of his masterpieces was the gold statue of Athena inside the Parthenon.

Example Question #671 : Ap Art History

The period after the death of Alexander is referred to as the Hellenistic Period. What is one of the more famous statues of the Hellenistic period named after The god of Winged Victory? 

Possible Answers:

Adidas

Saucony

Asic

Nike

Correct answer:

Nike

Explanation:

The statue's name is Winged Victory or Nike. In comparison to other statues at this time, this statue is significant due to the fact that the figure is in action or mid movement. The sense of motion and the swift movement of the figure are distinctive to this statue as well as the idea of the Nike brand.

Example Question #1 : Answering Other Questions About Ancient Grecian And Roman Sculpture

Ancient Greek and Roman statuary was usually painted with __________.

Possible Answers:

whitewash

black accents

polychrome colors

muted tones

Correct answer:

polychrome colors

Explanation:

Ancient Greek and Roman statues and architecture were, in their original form, painted in vivid polychrome colors. These bright colors, which decorated every aspect of 3D art in antiquity, largely faded by the time of a renewal in interest in classical art, during the eighteenth century. As such, many enlightenment-era figures wished to preserve the "pristine," but inauthentic, look of unpainted marble.

Example Question #2 : Answering Other Questions About Ancient Grecian And Roman Sculpture

Nike Adjusting Her Sandal, from the facade of the Temple of Athena Nike on the Athenian Acropolis, shows a woman, clearly outlined by realistic drapery, leaning to adjust her sandal.

The Nike came from which of the following artistic traditions?

Possible Answers:

Imperial Rome

Classical Greece

Hellenistic Greece

Medieval Britain 

Macedonian Empire

Correct answer:

Classical Greece

Explanation:

The piece Nike Adjusting Her Sandal is Classical Greek, as it comes from the temple of Athena Nike on the Athenian Acropolis, built in the fourth century. You can see the proportions of the figure clearly, as well, which is a hallmark of the period.

Example Question #671 : Ap Art History

What was the principle material used by sculptors in the Classical period in Greece?

Possible Answers:

Cement

Marble

Brick

Clay

Iron

Correct answer:

Marble

Explanation:

The key feature of ancient Greek sculpture was the monumental size of most of their pieces, as well as the dramatic depiction of heroes and gods. The statues therefore needed to be made of an extremely sturdy and dependable material. Marble proved the most durable and popular material among ancient Greek sculptors not just for the mentioned reasons, but because of its abundance in Greek lands.

Example Question #1 : Answering Other Questions About Ancient Grecian And Roman Sculpture

During which period of Ancient Greek art did the Greeks begin carving in stone to make sculptures?

Possible Answers:

The Classical period

The Archaic period

The Protogeometric period

The Hellenistic period

The Geometric period

Correct answer:

The Archaic period

Explanation:

The Geometric and Protogeometric were periods of Ancient Greek pottery. Sculpture in Ancient Greece consisted of three periods: the Archaic, the Classical and the Hellenistic periods. The first period of Ancient Greek sculpture, the Archaic period, is known as the period in which the Ancient Greek first began to sculpt and carve in stone.

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