Art and Architecture History Quiz: PAC801 Spring Edition

1. What is the name of the portrait featured in a Daguerreotype by Robert Cornelius, taken in May 1840?

Portrait of Elizabeth Brown

Abstract sculpture by Pablo Picasso

Landscape painting by William Turner

The correct answer is 'Portrait of John McAllister, Jr.' It was an early photographic portrait that marked the beginning of photography as a business.

Explanation

The correct answer is 'Portrait of John McAllister, Jr.' It was an early photographic portrait that marked the beginning of photography as a business.

2. Who is the architect of the Bank of Pennsylvania on South Second Street and when was it built?

Zaha Hadid, architect. 2010-2012

Frank Lloyd Wright, architect. 1902-1904

Robert Mills, architect. 1845-1847

The Bank of Pennsylvania on South Second Street was designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe, a prominent architect known for his classical revival style. The building was constructed between 1798 and 1801, reflecting Latrobe's vision of Philadelphia as the 'Athens of the Western World.'

Explanation

The Bank of Pennsylvania on South Second Street was designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe, a prominent architect known for his classical revival style. The building was constructed between 1798 and 1801, reflecting Latrobe's vision of Philadelphia as the 'Athens of the Western World.'

3. Who is the author of Second Bank, built in 1822, representing the Greek Revival Style?

Frank Lloyd Wright

James Latrobe

Emily Dickinson

William Strickland was the architect behind the Second Bank, which is an example of classical revival architecture in the Greek Revival Style. He was a student of Latrobe and incorporated classical themes in his buildings.

Explanation

William Strickland was the architect behind the Second Bank, which is an example of classical revival architecture in the Greek Revival Style. He was a student of Latrobe and incorporated classical themes in his buildings.

4. Who is the architect of Eastern State Penitentiary and what was its significance?

San Quentin State Prison, George W. Kelham, 1852, Oldest prison in California with a history of executions.

Sing Sing Correctional Facility, William W. Waddington, 1825, Infamous prison known for its harsh conditions.

Alcatraz Federal Prison, James A. Johnston, 1934, High-security facility.

Eastern State Penitentiary, designed by John Haviland in 1829, was one of the first prisons to focus on reforming inmates through solitary confinement under the 'Pennsylvania System'. The incorrect answers provided are famous prisons with notable architects and histories, but they do not match the unique characteristics of Eastern State Penitentiary.

Explanation

Eastern State Penitentiary, designed by John Haviland in 1829, was one of the first prisons to focus on reforming inmates through solitary confinement under the 'Pennsylvania System'. The incorrect answers provided are famous prisons with notable architects and histories, but they do not match the unique characteristics of Eastern State Penitentiary.

5. What historical event took place at Pennsylvania Hall at Race and 6th Streets on May 17, 1838?

The signing of the Declaration of Independence

The founding of the Philadelphia Stock Exchange

The construction of the Liberty Bell

6. What is the name of the experimental self portrait daguerreotype created by Robert Cornelius in the fall of 1839?

Infrared Landscape Photograph

Impressionist Abstract Watercolor

Cartesian Still Life Oil Painting

Robert Cornelius opened the first photographic studio in Philadelphia and enabled the Daguerreotype to become the basis for a business that transformed how we see ourselves and others.

Explanation

Robert Cornelius opened the first photographic studio in Philadelphia and enabled the Daguerreotype to become the basis for a business that transformed how we see ourselves and others.

7. What event is depicted in the painting Exhumation of the Mastodon by Charles Willson Peale, 1806-1808?

Discovery of America by Charles Willson Peale, 1492

Invention of the light bulb by Charles Willson Peale, 1880

Signing of the Declaration of Independence by Charles Willson Peale, 1776

The painting Exhumation of the Mastodon by Charles Willson Peale depicts the important discovery of a mastodon fossil in early America, which was a unique American animal and a metaphor for discovery. The study of this new American zoological and biological history helped define the new nation.

Explanation

The painting Exhumation of the Mastodon by Charles Willson Peale depicts the important discovery of a mastodon fossil in early America, which was a unique American animal and a metaphor for discovery. The study of this new American zoological and biological history helped define the new nation.

8. What is the name, author, date, and relevance of Thomas Dobson's Encyclopaedia?

Elizabeth Johnson's Encyclopaedia, 1750-1755

William Smith's Encyclopaedia, 1800-1805

John Thompson's Encyclopaedia, 1820-1825

The correct answer is Thomas Dobson's Encyclopaedia, 1788-1797, which was the first American encyclopedia printed in Philadelphia.

Explanation

The correct answer is Thomas Dobson's Encyclopaedia, 1788-1797, which was the first American encyclopedia printed in Philadelphia.

9. Name the artist who created a portrait of Meriwether Lewis in 1807 along with its relevance to American history.

George Washington, explorer

Thomas Jefferson, scientist

John Adams, politician

The correct answer is Charles Saint-Memin, who created a portrait of Meriwether Lewis in 1807 after Lewis's expedition. The portrait was intended to be a part of Lewis's official history, which was not completed until years later. This portrait and the expedition itself played a role in developing a historical narrative and national identity for Americans.

Explanation

The correct answer is Charles Saint-Memin, who created a portrait of Meriwether Lewis in 1807 after Lewis's expedition. The portrait was intended to be a part of Lewis's official history, which was not completed until years later. This portrait and the expedition itself played a role in developing a historical narrative and national identity for Americans.

10. Which plant species did Meriwether Lewis gather from the prairies in what is now Idaho?

Solidago angustifolia Torr. & A. Gray

Lomatium ambiguum (J.M. Coult. & Rose) Mathias & Constance

Aster alpigenus (L.) Bernh. ex Rchb.

Meriwether Lewis gathered specimens of Camaasia quamash (Pursh) Greene from the prairies in what is now Idaho during his expedition. The other three plant species are not associated with Lewis's botanical collections.

Explanation

Meriwether Lewis gathered specimens of Camaasia quamash (Pursh) Greene from the prairies in what is now Idaho during his expedition. The other three plant species are not associated with Lewis's botanical collections.