Art and Architecture essays.
1. ‘Some of the metopes are rather conventional; others are
revolutionary’. Do you think this statement is a better description of the
metopes of the temple of Zeus at Olympia or the metopes of the
Parthenon at Athens? [2010]
2. ‘Sculptors of the fourth century produced better and more successful
works of art than their predecessors of the fifth century’. How far do you
think this is true of the sculpture you have studied? [2010]
3. ‘The beginning of the 5th century was ready for the creation of a
revolutionary new type of statue.’ How and why did free-standing
sculpture change from the end of the 6th century to the mid-5th century
BC? [2009]
4. ‘The portrayal of conflict provided a highly satisfactory solution to the
problem of filing space effectively.’ How far do you think this is true of
the metopes and friezes you have studied? [2009]
5. Using these works as a starting point [Nike by Paionios], and other
works of your choice, show how the depiction of drapery changed from
the Archaic period to the late Classical period. [2008]
6. ‘The continuous Ionic frieze presented very different problems from the
broken Doric frieze’. To what extent do you think sculptors were
successful in overcoming the problems presented by both types of
frieze by the end of the fifth century. In your answer you should include
discussion of examples from both the Archaic and Classical periods for
both types of frieze. [2008]
7. What are the main differences and similarities between the sanctuaries
at Olympia and at Delphi? Which do you think is the more impressive
sanctuary? In your answer you should include discussion of the
sanctuary complexes as a whole, the purpose of the sanctuaries, and
of individual buildings. [May 2008]
8. What advantages do you think that architects gained from combining
the Doric and Ionic orders in Greek architecture? In your answer you
should include discussion of specific buildings and the ways in which
orders were combined. [Jan 2008]
9. ‘Unity of scale and unity of theme were more important than decorative
effect’. To what extent do you think that this is true of the pedimental
sculpture you have studied? [2007]
10. How far do the work of Kephisodotos and Praxiteles embody the new
ideas present in fourth century sculpture? [2007]
11. ‘The Ionic order is lighter, more ornate and more feminine than the
Doric order’. How far do you think that this statement is true? In your
answer, you should include discussion of the differences between the
two architectural orders and refer to specific buildings you have
studied. [2007]
12. Describe the limitations placed on Greek vase-painters by the shapes
of the pots they decorated. How did they overcome the limitations and
with what success? In your answer you should include discussion of at
least three different shapes of pots you have studied. [2006]
13. ‘A kouros, however perfect in detail, always retained something of the
mechanical quality of an automaton / android.’ To what extent do you
agree with this statement? [2006]
14. What problems did metopes present for sculptors? How successfully
did sculptors overcome these problems? In your answer you should
include discussion of examples from both the Archaic and Classical
periods. [2006]
15. What are the main differences and similarities between the sanctuaries
on the Athenian Acropolis and at Delphi? Which do you think is the
more impressive sanctuary? In your answer you should include
discussion of the sanctuary complexes as a whole, the purpose of the
sanctuaries and discussion of individual buildings. [2006]
16. ‘The Parthenon was the finest achievement of the Doric order’. To what
extent do you agree with the statement? In your answer you should
include discussion of how far the Parthenon was typical of the Doric
order and how far it broke with tradition. You should refer to other
temples to explain your opinion. [2005]
17. Making reference to the works above, and to other appropriate works of
your own choice, explain whether you prefer the Archaic or Early
Classical style of free-standing sculpture. [2005]
18. ‘The key to successful pedimental design lay in the theme of violence.’
To what extent do you think this is a valid judgement? [2005]
19. What are the main differences and similarities between the sanctuaries
on the Athenian Acropolis and at Olympia? Which do you feel makes
better use of the space available? In your answer you should include
discussion of individual buildings, the sanctuary complexes as a whole
and the purpose of the sanctuaries. [2004]
20. Scenes of conflict, such as war, struggles between man and beast and
duels between heroes, were a very popular topic for Greek artists. How
vividly do you think vase painters depicted conflict? In your answer you
should include discussion of some different types of conflict. You must
include reference to specific pots in your answer. [2003]
21. With reference to the illustrations shown above, outline the difficulties
faced by a sculptor when designing a pediment. To what extent had
sculptors overcome these difficulties by c490 BC? In your answer you
should also include discussion of the Siphnian Treasury and Temple of
Aphaia pediments. [2003]
22. Delphi and Olympia were major sanctuaries whose importance was
recognised by all Greek cities. What differences and similarities do
these sites show? In your answer you should consider the appearance
and function of individual buildings and the sanctuary complexes as a
whole. [2001]