Sculpture Beyond European Artistic Traditions - AP Art History
Card 0 of 20
In the African sculptural tradition, what is the purpose of scarification?
In the African sculptural tradition, what is the purpose of scarification?
Scarification refers to the process of scarring the skin in patterns by cutting it with a knife. After the cut heals, a raised image is created, and these images are painted. In African sculpture, scarification appears on figures to imitate the system used to differentiate between different tribes.
Scarification refers to the process of scarring the skin in patterns by cutting it with a knife. After the cut heals, a raised image is created, and these images are painted. In African sculpture, scarification appears on figures to imitate the system used to differentiate between different tribes.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
Aesthetically speaking, what characteristics most consistently attribute themselves to the majority of the body of work comprising the ancient Egyptian figure?
Aesthetically speaking, what characteristics most consistently attribute themselves to the majority of the body of work comprising the ancient Egyptian figure?
Rigidity of pose and contradictory perspectives on the human figure are consistent features of most Egyptian, and ancient, figure representation throughout all Egyptian Kingdoms and Dynasties. Contrapossto figures, while present, are likely the result of the influence of foreign artisans and conquerors. Desert aesthetics were matched by depictions of the oasis created by the Holy Nile, and representations of the lower classes were secondary to that of ruling classes. Monolithic constructions, though often the most famous of Egyptian art, namely the pyramids, cannot be said to characterize the totality of Egyptian art, which represents centuries of diverse arrays of styles, mediums, and materials. This question helps students to differentiate between what is a common trope across a civilization's art history versus what pop culture associates with it, or with periods within it. Most importantly, the question focuses specifically on the Egyptian figure. Though the Great Pyramids and Egyptian art are synonymous, the student must focus on what specifically is being asked by the question.
Rigidity of pose and contradictory perspectives on the human figure are consistent features of most Egyptian, and ancient, figure representation throughout all Egyptian Kingdoms and Dynasties. Contrapossto figures, while present, are likely the result of the influence of foreign artisans and conquerors. Desert aesthetics were matched by depictions of the oasis created by the Holy Nile, and representations of the lower classes were secondary to that of ruling classes. Monolithic constructions, though often the most famous of Egyptian art, namely the pyramids, cannot be said to characterize the totality of Egyptian art, which represents centuries of diverse arrays of styles, mediums, and materials. This question helps students to differentiate between what is a common trope across a civilization's art history versus what pop culture associates with it, or with periods within it. Most importantly, the question focuses specifically on the Egyptian figure. Though the Great Pyramids and Egyptian art are synonymous, the student must focus on what specifically is being asked by the question.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
The structure is made out of which of the following materials?
The structure is made out of which of the following materials?
Sandstone was one of the most easily obtainable building materials in the region and was often employed in works commissioned by Ashoka.
Image: Great Stupa at Sanchi commissioned by Emperor Ashoka, c. 300 BCE–100 CE. From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanchi#/media/File:Sanchi\_Stupa\_from\_Eastern\_gate,\_Madhya\_Pradesh.jpg.
Sandstone was one of the most easily obtainable building materials in the region and was often employed in works commissioned by Ashoka.
Image: Great Stupa at Sanchi commissioned by Emperor Ashoka, c. 300 BCE–100 CE. From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanchi#/media/File:Sanchi\_Stupa\_from\_Eastern\_gate,\_Madhya\_Pradesh.jpg.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
Which is NOT true of the Shiva Nataraja bronze sculptures from the Chola Dynasty?
Which is NOT true of the Shiva Nataraja bronze sculptures from the Chola Dynasty?
Shiva is depicted asymmetrically. Three hands gesture to his right while one hand gestures to his left. In addition, his left leg is raised to his right while his other leg is rooted firmly to the ground. Shiva's front left hand, which points to his raised left foot, signifies refuge for the troubled soul.
Shiva is depicted asymmetrically. Three hands gesture to his right while one hand gestures to his left. In addition, his left leg is raised to his right while his other leg is rooted firmly to the ground. Shiva's front left hand, which points to his raised left foot, signifies refuge for the troubled soul.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
Which other architectural element does The Gates bear resemblance to?
Which other architectural element does The Gates bear resemblance to?
The Gates bears a strong resemblance to Japanese Torii gates. They are often found at the entrance to Shinto shrines, and traditionally Japanese businessmen would buy them to pay tribute to the god Inari (the god of prosperity).
Image accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The\_Gates#/media/File:FushimiInariTorii.jpg
Image accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The\_Gates#/media/File:Gates\_a.jpg
The Gates bears a strong resemblance to Japanese Torii gates. They are often found at the entrance to Shinto shrines, and traditionally Japanese businessmen would buy them to pay tribute to the god Inari (the god of prosperity).
Image accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The\_Gates#/media/File:FushimiInariTorii.jpg
Image accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The\_Gates#/media/File:Gates\_a.jpg
Compare your answer with the correct one above
What was the function of The Stele of Hammurabi?
What was the function of The Stele of Hammurabi?
The Stele of Hammurabi lists out a code of laws for the people of Babylon to follow. There are over 300 law entries written out in the work.
Image is in the public domain, accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code\_of\_Hammurabi#/media/File:Milkau\_Oberer\_Teil\_der\_Stele\_mit\_dem\_Text\_von\_Hammurapis\_Gesetzescode\_369-2.png
The Stele of Hammurabi lists out a code of laws for the people of Babylon to follow. There are over 300 law entries written out in the work.
Image is in the public domain, accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code\_of\_Hammurabi#/media/File:Milkau\_Oberer\_Teil\_der\_Stele\_mit\_dem\_Text\_von\_Hammurapis\_Gesetzescode\_369-2.png
Compare your answer with the correct one above
In Yoruba art, the most important body part portrayed in statuary is the __________.
In Yoruba art, the most important body part portrayed in statuary is the __________.
The Yoruba culture of Southern Africa is one of the key artistic hubs of the region, and produces remarkable works in sculpture, jewelry, and masks. One chief feature is the usual focus on the head, which the Yoruba traditionally believe is the home of the entirety of the person. This belief is best reflected in Yoruba busts, which do not even feature necks or shoulders, only the head itself.
The Yoruba culture of Southern Africa is one of the key artistic hubs of the region, and produces remarkable works in sculpture, jewelry, and masks. One chief feature is the usual focus on the head, which the Yoruba traditionally believe is the home of the entirety of the person. This belief is best reflected in Yoruba busts, which do not even feature necks or shoulders, only the head itself.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
Traditional African masks typically portray all of the following EXCEPT __________.
Traditional African masks typically portray all of the following EXCEPT __________.
African masks are one of the chief examples of sub-Saharan artwork and are traditionally used in various African religious ceremonies. These ceremonies reflect traditional religious beliefs, which are usually based on spirit animism and ancestor worship; therefore, it is thought that the masks often allow the actors to take on something more powerful than themselves, including animals, ancestors, and various kinds of spirits.
African masks are one of the chief examples of sub-Saharan artwork and are traditionally used in various African religious ceremonies. These ceremonies reflect traditional religious beliefs, which are usually based on spirit animism and ancestor worship; therefore, it is thought that the masks often allow the actors to take on something more powerful than themselves, including animals, ancestors, and various kinds of spirits.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
All of the following statements are true, in general, of the masquerade arts in Africa except _____________.
All of the following statements are true, in general, of the masquerade arts in Africa except _____________.
African masquerade arts have been crucially important, particularly before the advent of colonialism. They function to serve many of the societies' governmental methods, and they serve to express cultural, dramatic, and artistic purposes.
African masquerade arts have been crucially important, particularly before the advent of colonialism. They function to serve many of the societies' governmental methods, and they serve to express cultural, dramatic, and artistic purposes.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
Polytheism is a basic consistency in Egyptian art and architecture. What Egyptian pharaoh changed the official state religion to a monotheistic one, spawning a 17 year anomaly of art dedicated to Aten, the sole deity in ancient Egypt?
Polytheism is a basic consistency in Egyptian art and architecture. What Egyptian pharaoh changed the official state religion to a monotheistic one, spawning a 17 year anomaly of art dedicated to Aten, the sole deity in ancient Egypt?
During his 17 year reign, Amenhotep IV forbade the worship of any god with the exception of Aten, the power light embodied by the sun disk. This brief period represents a radical departure from what typically comprised Egyptian religion, which was a consistent cornerstone of ancient Egyptian art. An example of this is "Akhenaton Presenting a Duck to Aten."
During his 17 year reign, Amenhotep IV forbade the worship of any god with the exception of Aten, the power light embodied by the sun disk. This brief period represents a radical departure from what typically comprised Egyptian religion, which was a consistent cornerstone of ancient Egyptian art. An example of this is "Akhenaton Presenting a Duck to Aten."
Compare your answer with the correct one above
In Buddhist statuary, the lotus position depicts the Buddha __________.
In Buddhist statuary, the lotus position depicts the Buddha __________.
Buddhism spread across Asia from the beginning of the first century CE to 500 CE; this resulted in the creation of a vast array of Buddhist art in a variety of countries. This art still had some unified themes, particularly in depictions of the Buddha, which could demonstrate important points to new believers. This includes the Buddha sitting in the lotus position, a cross-legged pose that is the chief position for Buddhist meditation and contemplative practices.
Buddhism spread across Asia from the beginning of the first century CE to 500 CE; this resulted in the creation of a vast array of Buddhist art in a variety of countries. This art still had some unified themes, particularly in depictions of the Buddha, which could demonstrate important points to new believers. This includes the Buddha sitting in the lotus position, a cross-legged pose that is the chief position for Buddhist meditation and contemplative practices.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
In Hindu sculpture, a vahana refers to a deity's __________.
In Hindu sculpture, a vahana refers to a deity's __________.
In Hindu mythology, every deity has a vahana, or animal mount. This has a number of purposes, ranging from highlighting certain attributes of a deity to creating different kinds of symbology from a plain depiction of the deity. Notable vahanas include Vishnu's eagle, Ganesha's mouse, and Laksmi's elephant.
In Hindu mythology, every deity has a vahana, or animal mount. This has a number of purposes, ranging from highlighting certain attributes of a deity to creating different kinds of symbology from a plain depiction of the deity. Notable vahanas include Vishnu's eagle, Ganesha's mouse, and Laksmi's elephant.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
This image shows which of the following?
This image shows which of the following?
Commissioned by the emperor Ashoka during the 3rd century BCE, the Great Stupa at Sanchi was constructed to house the relics of the Buddha and is the oldest known stone structure in India.
Image: Great Stupa at Sanchi commissioned by Emperor Ashoka, c. 300 BCE–100 CE. From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanchi#/media/File:Sanchi\_Stupa\_from\_Eastern\_gate,\_Madhya\_Pradesh.jpg.
Commissioned by the emperor Ashoka during the 3rd century BCE, the Great Stupa at Sanchi was constructed to house the relics of the Buddha and is the oldest known stone structure in India.
Image: Great Stupa at Sanchi commissioned by Emperor Ashoka, c. 300 BCE–100 CE. From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanchi#/media/File:Sanchi\_Stupa\_from\_Eastern\_gate,\_Madhya\_Pradesh.jpg.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
The physical layout of site encourages which of the following?
The physical layout of site encourages which of the following?
The circular plan of the stupa encourages adherents to walk around the sacred object in the middle, a movement otherwise known as circumambulation.
Image: Great Stupa at Sanchi commissioned by Emperor Ashoka, c. 300 BCE–100 CE. From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanchi#/media/File:Sanchi\_Stupa\_from\_Eastern\_gate,\_Madhya\_Pradesh.jpg.
The circular plan of the stupa encourages adherents to walk around the sacred object in the middle, a movement otherwise known as circumambulation.
Image: Great Stupa at Sanchi commissioned by Emperor Ashoka, c. 300 BCE–100 CE. From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanchi#/media/File:Sanchi\_Stupa\_from\_Eastern\_gate,\_Madhya\_Pradesh.jpg.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
![256px-Shiva_as_the_Lord_of_Dance_LACMA_edit.jpg]()
The work shown here was created with the intention of __________________.
The work shown here was created with the intention of __________________.
This statue of Shiva was created under the Chola dynasty of southern India in the 10th century, a time and place in which the worship of Shiva was preeminent. Such a statue would have been used in religious ceremonies, particularly as the beliefs of the time held such gods as fully present in believers’ like not dissimilar from the ceremonial role of a monarch.
Image is in the public domain accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shiva\_as\_the\_Lord\_of\_Dance\_LACMA\_edit.jpg
This statue of Shiva was created under the Chola dynasty of southern India in the 10th century, a time and place in which the worship of Shiva was preeminent. Such a statue would have been used in religious ceremonies, particularly as the beliefs of the time held such gods as fully present in believers’ like not dissimilar from the ceremonial role of a monarch.
Image is in the public domain accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shiva\_as\_the\_Lord\_of\_Dance\_LACMA\_edit.jpg
Compare your answer with the correct one above
Image by Arian Zwegers from Brussels, Belgium (Sanchi, Stupa 1, western gateway) \[CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)\], via Wikimedia Commons. <https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/Sanchi%2C%5FStupa%5F1%2C%5Fwestern%5Fgateway%5F%289839922393%29.jpg>.
The Great Stupa at Sanchi is _________________.
Image by Arian Zwegers from Brussels, Belgium (Sanchi, Stupa 1, western gateway) \[CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)\], via Wikimedia Commons. <https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/Sanchi%2C%5FStupa%5F1%2C%5Fwestern%5Fgateway%5F%289839922393%29.jpg>.
The Great Stupa at Sanchi is _________________.
Commissioned by the emperor Ashoka during the 3rd century BCE, the Great Stupa at Sanchi was constructed to house the relics of the Buddha and is the oldest known stone structure in India.
Image by Arian Zwegers from Brussels, Belgium (Sanchi, Stupa 1, western gateway) \[CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)\], via Wikimedia Commons. <https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/Sanchi%2C%5FStupa%5F1%2C%5Fwestern%5Fgateway%5F%289839922393%29.jpg>.
Commissioned by the emperor Ashoka during the 3rd century BCE, the Great Stupa at Sanchi was constructed to house the relics of the Buddha and is the oldest known stone structure in India.
Image by Arian Zwegers from Brussels, Belgium (Sanchi, Stupa 1, western gateway) \[CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)\], via Wikimedia Commons. <https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/Sanchi%2C%5FStupa%5F1%2C%5Fwestern%5Fgateway%5F%289839922393%29.jpg>.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
A stupa is meant to represent __________________.
A stupa is meant to represent __________________.
Stupas were built to represent Buddha's body. The top of the stupa was his head, the middle was his body, and the bottom was his crossed legs.
Stupas were built to represent Buddha's body. The top of the stupa was his head, the middle was his body, and the bottom was his crossed legs.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
What do Buddhist practitioners do at a stupa?
What do Buddhist practitioners do at a stupa?
The stupa is a solid object. Therefore it cannot be entered. Practitioners were meant to walk around the stupa, which is also known as circumambulation. This was meant to be a meditative walk that could allow the practitioner to think about the teachings of Buddha.
The stupa is a solid object. Therefore it cannot be entered. Practitioners were meant to walk around the stupa, which is also known as circumambulation. This was meant to be a meditative walk that could allow the practitioner to think about the teachings of Buddha.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
For what were The David Vases made?
For what were The David Vases made?
The David Vases were made for a Doaist temple alter. One of the most important parts of the vases are a dated inscription.
The David Vases were made for a Doaist temple alter. One of the most important parts of the vases are a dated inscription.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
The Malangan figures were not involved in ___________.
The Malangan figures were not involved in ___________.
The Malangan figures were single use sculptures made in an island of Papua New Guinea for malangan, a set of rituals that were used to say goodbye to the dead, affirm clan identities, and negotiate land rights.
The Malangan figures were single use sculptures made in an island of Papua New Guinea for malangan, a set of rituals that were used to say goodbye to the dead, affirm clan identities, and negotiate land rights.
Compare your answer with the correct one above