Helpful Tips for the AP Exam (not Ms. Park’s tests)
First Semester Chapters 2-5 and 9-12
Chapter 2- Art of the Near East
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AP Exam Tip. There are several opportunities for students to discuss themes in art that are explored
by artists from prehistoric to modern times. Narrative in art, for example, is found in much Ancient
Near Eastern art. Perhaps the finest example is the Standard of Ur (FIG. 2-8). Students should be able
to discuss interpretations given by art historians of the war side and the peace side of this tablet.
Narratives are also found in the soundbox of the lyre (FIG. 2-9), victory stele of Naram-Sin (FIG. 213). The seated and blocky Gudea (FIG. 2-15 and text) is an example of the human body that
students might cite. Gudea is the first of many such Near Eastern sculptures in which the medium
diorite is used and students should be able to recognize how this hard stone symbolizes the stable
character and power of the subject. Nature and natural subjects are other themes found in Near
Eastern art.
Chapter 3- Art of the Egyptians
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AP Exam Tip. There are several opportunities for students to discuss narratives as found in Ancient
Egyptian art. The statue of Menkaure and Khamerernebty from Gizeh (FIG. 3-13) show the
traditional pose of the human body as favored by royal families. The more relaxed and realistic
portrayal of the human form as seen in the seated scribe (FIG. 3-14) was reserved for the lesser
classes. Students should know the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut and its striking setting and
architecture. The Amana Period contains one of the most famous pieces of art, the bust of Queen
Nefertiti, and with the statue of Akhenaton they comprise two exceptions to the centuries of the
formal, traditional Egyptian style of art and sculpture.
Chapter 4- Art of the Aegeans
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AP Exam Tip. There are several opportunities for students to discuss narratives as found in Aegean
art. Perhaps the best is the story of “bullfighting” found in the frescoes from the palace of Knossos
(FIG. 4-7.) The Harvester Vase (FIG. 4-13) is another opportunity for students to find and discuss a
story found in art. The fresco paintings on the walls of Knossos contain splendid examples of motion
and excitement and are good examples of the unique expression that Minoan art gave the human
body. Students should be able to compare Minoan representation of the human form to the numerous
formal, motionless examples found in the last chapter. The art of the Aegean is obviously shaped by
the natural surroundings of water and marine life and is a good example of the influences locale
may have on a culture’s art.
Chapter 5- Art of the Ancient Greeks
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AP Exam Tip. There are several opportunities to explore narrative in art, and foremost in this
chapter is the Panathenaic Procession frieze. Thus the human being and the human body become
the measure of all things, including art. “The perfect individual became the Greek ideal.” Gender.
Numerous examples of the female figure appear in Greek art. We see the development of the ideal
female form from the Archaic Kore to the sensuous Venus di Milo. Sensuality and sexuality is found
often in Greek art, from the beautiful lines of Nike Adjusting her sandal to the explicitness of the
Barberini Fawn.
Chapter 9- Art of the Etruscans
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AP Exam Tip. The Tomb of the Leopards painting (see detail in FIG. 9-8) might be cited as one
example of a unique feature of Etruscan art. There are no parallels to it in Greek art that are a
narrative portraying musicians at a banquet, as seen in FIG. 9-8. (Students might discuss why this
subject matter is shown within the context of a tomb.) The human body is shown in archaic style in
the sarcophagi statues.
Chapter 10- Art of the Ancient Romans
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AP Exam Tip. It is in architecture that the Romans made their greatest contributions and students
can be assured that they will be expected to know the great Roman public buildings when they
confront the AP Art History Exam. Fortunately, most students will find the subject fascinating and
they will already be somewhat familiar with structures such as the Colosseum and Pantheon. (The
graceful beauty of the Pont du Gard will probably be a pleasant but new sight for them.) There is a
good discussion of the Roman use of concrete and of variations of the arch on page 250 and you
should study these images.
Chapter 11- Art of Late Antiquity
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AP Exam Tip. Mosaic is the perfect medium for art that is non-naturalistic, flat, hieratic and frontal.
Your students should come to appreciate that this style, that was to dominate Western art for nearly
1000 years, is not inferior to the graceful naturalism of classic art. For more on mosaics see the text
on page 303.
This is a good time for students to learn the architectural vocabulary of basilican churches. Have
students study the design (FIG. 11-7) and draw and/or label the parts of a basilican church: nave,
aisles, apse, transept, narthex and atrium.
A good opportunity to discuss narrative in art is presented by the painting Rebecca and Eliezer at
the Well (FIG. 11-19). This early Christine painting, found in the Vienna Genesis, tells a biblical
story in the simplest way: figures are flat and silhouetted; the sky is a blank, perspective absent. Yet,
there are the necessary details in this Manuscript Illumination present to tell the story. (See page
319.)

Heads Up Note.
For students not familiar with the life of Christ, this 13th edition of Gardner’s includes an expanded
“Life of Jesus in Art” on pages 308-209. Students might review these pages as they will continue to
see art based on these themes during their study of Western art. In this chapter students will see
renditions of Jesus as a child and young shepherd.
Chapter 12- Art of the Byzantium

AP Exam Tip. The Hagia Sophia is a monumental building that all students should know. Students
will also be introduced to iconographic art in this chapter. The famous apse at San Vitale with its
mosaics of Justinian and Theodora and the mosaic apse of Saint Apollinaris offer subjects for student
essays on narrative in art.
In the Byzantine tradition, the human body is not meant to be depicted as physically accurate or
shown as solids with shade, light space perspective. Assign essay questions that require students to
compare this Eastern tradition to the Western classical tradition. Images of the Madonna become
increasingly iconographed as in the Vladimir Madonna (FIG. 12-29).