Gardner's Art Through The Ages By Helen Gardner! Trivia Quiz Questions

From Greek paleo, "old," and lithos, "stone."

During the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic eras, most animals were depicted in profile in the paintings. This means that the animals were shown from a side view, with only one side of their body visible. This style of representation was commonly used by ancient artists during these periods, possibly because it allowed for a clear and recognizable depiction of the animals' features and characteristics. The profile view also allowed artists to capture the animals' movement and anatomy in a simplified yet effective manner. Therefore, the statement that most animals painted during these eras were presented in profile is true.

The statement "Male humans were the most common subjects in Paleolithic art" is false. Paleolithic art, which refers to the art created by early humans during the Paleolithic period, often depicted a variety of subjects including animals, abstract symbols, and both male and female humans. The art from this period provides important insights into the lives and beliefs of early humans, showcasing their diverse interests and creative abilities.

The Venus of Willendorf is not naturalistic in its shape and proportion. This prehistoric sculpture depicts a female figure with exaggerated features such as large breasts, a rounded belly, and no visible facial features. The proportions are not realistic, with an emphasis on fertility and abundance rather than anatomical accuracy. Therefore, the correct answer is false.

p.20

The Makapansgat pebble found in South Africa in 1925 is not considered art. It is actually an archaeological artifact that holds historical and cultural significance. The pebble is believed to have been used as a tool by early humans and carries evidence of their activities. While it may have aesthetic qualities, its primary value lies in its archaeological and anthropological importance rather than being classified as art.

p.28

p.17

a lintel is a stone beam used to span an opening, not a type of stone.

The correct answer is Mesopotamia because it is widely recognized as the region where the oldest known settled communities were found. Mesopotamia, located in present-day Iraq, was home to ancient civilizations such as Sumer, Akkad, Babylon, and Assyria. These civilizations developed advanced agricultural techniques, invented writing systems, and built complex cities with organized governments. The discovery of artifacts and archaeological sites in Mesopotamia provides evidence of the earliest forms of human settlement and urbanization in history.

p.28

In the Paleolithic era, dating artifacts with precision is challenging due to the lack of written records and the limited techniques available. Therefore, art historians often have to rely on relative dating methods and assign a broad range to an artifact. "Several thousand years" is the most appropriate answer as it acknowledges the significant time span that can be encompassed within the Paleolithic era, allowing for a more accurate understanding of the artifact's age.

p.23, with a twisted perspective, or a composite view, the painter's approach is not consistently optical (seen from a fixed viewpoint) but rather descriptive (in this case it tells the fact that cattle have 2 horns)

p.26

During the Paleolithic period, animal paintings were presented in profile views. This means that the animals were depicted from the side, showing their outline and features in a side-on perspective. This style of painting allowed for a clear representation of the animal's shape and characteristics, making it easier for early humans to identify and understand the animals they were depicting.

p.18

In Paleolithic paintings, representations of human hands are common. This is because hand stencils and handprints were frequently depicted in these artworks. These handprints were made by placing the hand against the cave wall and blowing or spraying pigment over it, leaving a negative impression. The prevalence of hand representations suggests that they held significance for the Paleolithic people, possibly as a form of personal or communal identity, or as a way to establish a connection with the spiritual realm.

see p.17, 1-3: Human with feline head

p.16

Relief sculpture can be created by building up forms out of clay and cutting into stone blocks or walls. This means that artists have the option to either add clay to create a raised surface or carve into a stone surface to create a design that stands out from the background. Both techniques allow for the creation of three-dimensional artwork that can be viewed from different angles.

The statement suggests that the earliest known paintings were portable. This means that these paintings were able to be easily moved or carried from one place to another. This is likely true because early humans would have needed to transport their artwork as they moved from one location to another. Additionally, the use of portable paintings would have allowed for greater accessibility and sharing of artistic expressions among different communities and cultures.

p.20

see Materials and Techniques inset on Paleolithic Cave Painting on p.21

p.20 "floating bison" likely created individually at different times

The great circular stone tower at Jericho was 28 feet high. This information is not explicitly mentioned in the question, but it is the only option provided that fits the description of being "great" and "high."

p.20

During the Neolithic age, significant advancements were made in various areas. One of these advancements was in the field of metalwork, where people began to work with metals such as copper and bronze. Another innovation during this time was the development of weaving, which allowed for the creation of textiles and clothing. Therefore, the correct answer is weaving and metalwork, as both of these innovations were present during the Neolithic age.

The correct answer is the human figure from Ain Ghazal, Jordan, is from the Neolithic period. This can be determined by the fact that Ain Ghazal is located in Jordan, which is known to have been inhabited during the Neolithic period. Additionally, the mention of "Neolithic" in the description of the figure suggests that it belongs to that time period.

The given answer correctly identifies the location, time period, and artistic style of the artwork. The Hall of the Bulls is a famous cave painting in Lascaux, France, dating back to the Paleolithic era, specifically between 15,000 and 13,000 BCE. The painting depicts various animals, including bulls, horses, and deer, and is renowned for its detailed and realistic representation. This artwork provides valuable insights into the artistic skills and cultural practices of early humans during the Paleolithic period.