Introduction
THE SUBJECTS AND VOCABULARY OF ART HISTORY
1. List five major questions that art historians ask when assessing a work of art:
a. _____________________________________________________________________________________
b. _____________________________________________________________________________________
c. _____________________________________________________________________________________
d. _____________________________________________________________________________________
e. _____________________________________________________________________________________
2. Define the following terms as used by art historians, using the text and glossary as necessary:
form ___________________________________________________________________________________________
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composition ____________________________________________________________________________________
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material ________________________________________________________________________________________
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technique _______________________________________________________________________________________
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line ____________________________________________________________________________________________
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hue ____________________________________________________________________________________________
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value or tonality _________________________________________________________________________________
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intensity or saturation ____________________________________________________________________________
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space __________________________________________________________________________________________
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mass ___________________________________________________________________________________________
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volume _________________________________________________________________________________________
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perspective ______________________________________________________________________________________
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foreshortening ___________________________________________________________________________________
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proportion ______________________________________________________________________________________
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3. Write down two types of material that could be used in creating subtractive sculpture:
a. __________________________________
b. __________________________________
4. Write down two types of material that could be used in creating additive sculpture:
a. __________________________________
b. __________________________________
5. Define the following sculptural terms:
high relief ______________________________________________________________________________________
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low relief (bas-relief) ______________________________________________________________________________
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6. Define the following architectural terms:
plan ___________________________________________________________________________________________
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section _________________________________________________________________________________________
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elevation _______________________________________________________________________________________
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Chapter 1
THE BIRTH OF ART
AFRICA, EUROPE, AND THE NEAR EAST IN THE STONE AGE
1. Define the following terms:
incise __________________________________________________________________________________________
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megalithic ______________________________________________________________________________________
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post and lintel ___________________________________________________________________________________
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twisted perspective _______________________________________________________________________________
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2. In what continent is humankind believed to have originated? __________________________________________
3. Around what date are human beings thought to have intentionally created art works? ______________________
4. The term “Paleolithic” derives from two Greek terms, “paleo,” which means ____________________________
and “lithos,” which means ____________________________.
5. What subject was most often depicted by Paleolithic artists? ___________________________________________
6. Briefly describe the differences between the so-called “Venus of Willendorf” (FIG. 1-4) and the relief of the
Woman from Laussel (FIG. 1-5):
Venus of Willendorf
Woman from Laussel
Material/technique:
_____________________________
_____________________________
Size:
_____________________________
_____________________________
Approximate date:
_____________________________
_____________________________
Bodily features:
_____________________________
_____________________________
7. What material was used to create the bison from Tuc d’Auboubert (FIG. 1-7)? ___________________________
8. The bison from La Madeleine (FIG. 1-8) ___________________________________________________________
9. List three caves or caverns that contain Paleolithic paintings:
a. _____________________________________________________________________________________
b. _____________________________________________________________________________________
c. _____________________________________________________________________________________
10. What reason could be given for their placement deep in the caves?
________________________________________________________________________________________________
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11. Describe the organization of the bison images from Altamira (FIG. 1-9):
________________________________________________________________________________________________
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12. What explanation has been given for the “spots” on the horse from Pechmerle (FIG. 1-10)?
________________________________________________________________________________________________
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13. What explanation has been given for the “negative” hand prints?
________________________________________________________________________________________________
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14. Name two differing artistic techniques used at Lascaux to depict the animals:
a. _____________________________________________________________________________________
b. _____________________________________________________________________________________
15. What evidence could be given to support the notion that the animals at Lascaux were painted at different
times?
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16. List two “rules” of Paleolithic painting that have been challenged by the recent discoveries at Chauvet:
a. _____________________________________________________________________________________
b. _____________________________________________________________________________________
17. List two achievements of Neolithic peoples that changed the economic basis of their lives:
a. _____________________________________________________________________________________
b. _____________________________________________________________________________________
18. List two achievements that changed their intellectual lives:
a. _____________________________________________________________________________________
b. _____________________________________________________________________________________
19. Archeological findings indicate that civilization did not originate in the Nile River valley of Egypt, as was
earlier believed, but developed in grassy uplands in settlements like Jericho, located in _______________________
and dating from the ________________ millennium B.C. and Çatal Hüyük, located in ______________________.
20. The first known permanent stone fortifications were built at the site of _____________________ around
_____________________ B.C.
21. What possible purpose might the head illustrated in FIG. 1-15 have served?
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22. Çatal Hüyük flourished between ____________ and ____________ B.C.
23. Two advantages of the absence if streets in Çatal Hüyük were:
a. _____________________________________________________________________________________
b. _____________________________________________________________________________________
24. What subjects were portrayed in the wall paintings of Çatal Hüyük?
a. _____________________________________________________________________________________
b. _____________________________________________________________________________________
25. List three changes in artistic production that paralleled the shift from a food gathering to a food producting
economy:
a. _____________________________________________________________________________________
b. _____________________________________________________________________________________
c. _____________________________________________________________________________________
26. When is Stonehenge thought to have been erected? _________________________________________________
27. By what means has the dating been established?
________________________________________________________________________________________________
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28. What is thought to have been its purpose?
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Chapter 2
THE RISE OF CIVILIZATION
THE ART OF THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST
1. Define or identify the following terms:
apadana ________________________________________________________________________________________
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barrel vault _____________________________________________________________________________________
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cella ___________________________________________________________________________________________
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citadel _________________________________________________________________________________________
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city state ________________________________________________________________________________________
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cuneiform ______________________________________________________________________________________
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intaglio _________________________________________________________________________________________
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lamassu ________________________________________________________________________________________
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register _________________________________________________________________________________________
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repoussé ________________________________________________________________________________________
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stele ___________________________________________________________________________________________
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votive offering ___________________________________________________________________________________
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ziggurat ________________________________________________________________________________________
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2. Identify the following:
Hammurabi _____________________________________________________________________________________
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Inanna/Ishtar ___________________________________________________________________________________
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3. When was the area between the Tigris and the Euphrates river settled? __________________________________
4. What was it called? ____________________________________________________________________________
5. List three achievements that led to the area being called the “Fertile Crescent”:
a. _____________________________________________________________________________________
b. _____________________________________________________________________________________
c. _____________________________________________________________________________________
6. List three characteristics of the city states developed by the Sumerians:
a. _____________________________________________________________________________________
b. _____________________________________________________________________________________
c. _____________________________________________________________________________________
7. List three characteristics of Sumerian religion:
a. _____________________________________________________________________________________
b. _____________________________________________________________________________________
c. _____________________________________________________________________________________
8. What materials did Sumerians use to construct their temples?
________________________________________________________________________________________________
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9. What is the name of the platform on which the temple was placed? _____________________________________
10. How was a temple oriented? ____________________________________________________________________
11. What is meant by the “bent axis” approach to a Sumerian temple?
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12. What material was used for the female head shown in FIG. 2-3? ______________________________________
13. How might it have been used? __________________________________________________________________
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14. What is depicted on the Warka vase (FIG. 2-4)? ____________________________________________________
15. How are ground lines used on the vase? __________________________________________________________
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16. Are the figures depicted according to “conceptual” or “optical” principles? Explain your answer.
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17. What underlying forms were used to create the statues shown in FIG. 2-5 (Statuettes of Worshippers)?
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18. What was their purpose? _______________________________________________________________________
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19. What is thought to be portrayed one the Standard of Ur (FIG. 2-8)?
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20. List three artistic conventions seen on it:
a. _____________________________________________________________________________________
b. _____________________________________________________________________________________
c. _____________________________________________________________________________________
21. What might be the meaning of the figures on the Harp from Ur (FIG. 2-10)?
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22. What new political idea was introduced by the Akkadians?
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23. How did they illustrate it in their art?
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24. What is a cylinder seal and how were they used?
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25. The head of the Akkadian ruler shown in FIG. 2-12 combines both naturalism and formal abstract patterning.
List three features that you think are examples of each:
Naturalism
Abstract Patterning
a. _____________________________________
a. _____________________________________
b. _____________________________________
b. _____________________________________
c. _____________________________________
c. _____________________________________
26. List two features of the Stele of Naram Sin that indicate his super-human status:
a. _____________________________________
b. _____________________________________
27. Draw a sketch of a ziggurat:
28. What is the significance of the Stele of Hammurabi?
________________________________________________________________________________________________
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29. What does it tell us about the relative value of slaves and goods in ancient Babylon?
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30. What is foreshortening and how is it used in the Stele of Hammurabi?
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31. What is the significance of the great Lion Gate they constructed at Boghazkoy (FIG. 2-18)?
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32. The Assyrian empire was located in _______________________________ and dominated this area during the
__________________________ millennium.
33. List four features of the royal citadel of Sargon II:
a. _____________________________________
b. _____________________________________
c. _____________________________________
d. _____________________________________
34. The doorway of the royal citadel of Sargon II was guarded by figures known as _________________________
35. List four stylistic features of these creatures:
a. _____________________________________
b. _____________________________________
c. _____________________________________
d. _____________________________________
36. What subjects were commonly portrayed in Assyrian reliefs?
________________________________________________________________________________________________
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37. List three characteristics of Assyrian relief sculptures that create an impression of violence and brutality:
a. _____________________________________________________________________________________
b. _____________________________________________________________________________________
c. _____________________________________________________________________________________
38. One of the seven wonders of the ancient world was created by Nebuchadnezzar. What was it and where was
it located?
________________________________________________________________________________________________
39. The Ishtar Gate (FIG. 2-26) was built in the city of __________________________.
40. It was decorated with representation of the _______________ of Marduk and the _______________ of Adad.
41. All its surfaces were covered with _________________________.
42. The great palace at Persepolis was erected in the century under and to symbolize Persian imperial power. The
architects created a powerful synthesis of architectural and sculptural elements drawn form the cultures of
______________________________, _____________________________, and ______________________________,
43. List four architectural features of the palace of Persepolis.
a. _____________________________________
b. _____________________________________
c. _____________________________________
d. _____________________________________
44. What subjects were depicted in the reliefs on the walls of the terrace and staircases of the palace at Persepolis?
________________________________________________________________________________________________
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45. Name three cultures that influenced the style of the palace and its reliefs:
a. ______________________________ b. _____________________________ c.______________________________
46. Who were the Sasanians?
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47. Name the Sasanian ruler who captured the Roman Emperor Valerian: _________________________________
48. How was this scene illustrated at Bishapur (FIG. 2-30)?
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