Understanding terminology that describes Early Christian, Byzantine, and Early Medieval sculpture

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AP Art History › Understanding terminology that describes Early Christian, Byzantine, and Early Medieval sculpture

Questions 1 - 4
1

A "mandorla" in Romanesque sculpture is _________________.

an oval of light

a musical stringed instrument similar to a small harp

a sea monster in the nether regions

the vertical stone between the main entrance doors

Explanation

A "mandorla" is an oval of light, typically surrounding the figure of Christ. "Leviathans" (sea monsters) were sometimes depicted in Romanesque Last Judgment scenes, ready to swallow up the condemned. The vertical stone between the portal doors is called a "trumeau."

2

Though __________ was implemented as early as Mesopotamian art, it is a technique that flourished as a part of Byzantine art. It consists of assembling small pieces of glass, stone, metal, and other assorted materials in order to form images and elaborate patterns.

mosaic art

portraiture

relief art

ivory art

diptych painting

Explanation

Mosaics are one of the most important legacies of Byzantine art, and remained the envy of Western European artists for centuries to come. Mosaic art included patterns, abstract symbolism, and more realistic images.

3

What is included in a pilgrimage type church, such as St. Sernin in Toulouse?

All of the other answers are correct

Double side aisles

Tribune

Radiating chapels

Longer nave

Explanation

Pilgrimage type churches housed large crowds on their journey to Compostela or other pilgrimage destinations. Thus, the churches were expanded to accommodate these crowds. The naves were extended; radiating chapels and tribunes were added to house the extra worshippers. Side aisles were doubled, and everything was built on a larger scale.

4

What is a "reliquary"?

A container holding the bone(s)/bodily object(s) of a dead saint

The bone(s)/bodily object(s) of a dead saint

A coffin containing the entire body of a saint

The medieval equivalent of a gravestone: a slab containing information about the dead individual buried underneath the site

Explanation

"Reliquaries" are the containers of relics, or the fragmented body parts (usually the bone(s) or bodily object(s)) of a saint or other religious figure. "Reliquaries" varied in size and shape, and could range from a small amulet containing a pinkie finger to a large box containing a leg bone. Touch relics -or objects that had come in contact with a saint or other religious figure, such as a piece of clothing- might also be held within a reliquary.

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