Advanced Art History: Cultural and Historical Influences Exam

1. What is depicted on the Sarcophagus of the Married Couple from Cerveteri?

A man and woman reclining on a couch at a banquet, symbolizing unity and eternal life

A battle scene between warriors

A religious ritual involving sacrifices

A scene of everyday life at the marketplace

The incorrect answers do not match the actual depiction on the Sarcophagus of the Married Couple, which shows a banqueting scene instead.

Explanation

The incorrect answers do not match the actual depiction on the Sarcophagus of the Married Couple, which shows a banqueting scene instead.

2. 10-32, Maison Carree. Know culture, date, where built, emperor who dedicated it, to whom it was dedicated, how this semiperipteral Roman temple differs from a Greek peripteral temple, what culture the podium and practice of confining columns to the porch came from, what order this is.

Greek; Athens; Classical period; Doric order

Roman; Nîmes, France; Early Empire; Corinthian order, engaged columns, Etruscan podium design

Egyptian; Thebes; New Kingdom; massive stone columns

Byzantine; Ravenna; 6th century; domed central plan

The correct answer provides information about a Roman temple, its construction, and design elements. The incorrect answers offer contrasting information from different cultures and time periods to test knowledge of architectural history and styles.

Explanation

The correct answer provides information about a Roman temple, its construction, and design elements. The incorrect answers offer contrasting information from different cultures and time periods to test knowledge of architectural history and styles.

3. What are some key aspects of the sarcophagus from Santa Maria Antiqua in Rome?

Depicts mythological gods of Rome; 1st century BCE; carved in marble with mythic animals

Contains imperial portraits of Constantine; 4th century CE; bronze relief

Shows daily Roman life; 2nd century CE; painted fresco on clay

4. What is represented in the Mosaic of the Parting of Abraham and Lot from Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome?

Depicts the Creation of Adam and Eve in Notre Dame Cathedral

Depicts the Last Supper in St. Peter’s Basilica

Depicts the Baptism of Jesus in Westminster Abbey

The correct answer describes a specific mosaic from Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome depicting the Parting of Abraham and Lot. The incorrect answers provide different scenarios and locations, deviating from the information provided in the question.

Explanation

The correct answer describes a specific mosaic from Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome depicting the Parting of Abraham and Lot. The incorrect answers provide different scenarios and locations, deviating from the information provided in the question.

5. What is the material used, date, features of Late Roman art still used, and term for medieval painted books in general for the manuscript 11-19, Rebecca at the Well from the Vienna Genesis?

Made of parchment (calf hide); 500–550 CE; shows repeated figure and water spirit; example of illuminated manuscript

Made of papyrus; 200 BCE; shows hieroglyphic writing

Made of bronze; 1st century CE; shows Greek soldiers

Made of stone; 1000 CE; shows saints and prophets

The correct answers for the manuscript 11-19, Rebecca at the Well from the Vienna Genesis are parchment and calf hide for materials used, 500-550 or Early Christian for the date, repeating figure and female water spirit in well for features of Late Roman art still used, and illuminated manuscripts as the term for medieval painted books in general.

Explanation

The correct answers for the manuscript 11-19, Rebecca at the Well from the Vienna Genesis are parchment and calf hide for materials used, 500-550 or Early Christian for the date, repeating figure and female water spirit in well for features of Late Roman art still used, and illuminated manuscripts as the term for medieval painted books in general.

6. What does the mosaic in the apse of the Church of San Vitale in Ravenna represent?

St. Vitale shown as emperor of Ravenna

Ecclesius portrayed as military ruler

Justinian shown constructing the church

The mosaic in the apse of the Church of San Vitale in Ravenna represents Christ in a specific depiction surrounded by symbolic figures, not any of the other incorrect options.

Explanation

The mosaic in the apse of the Church of San Vitale in Ravenna represents Christ in a specific depiction surrounded by symbolic figures, not any of the other incorrect options.

7. 12-14, The Barberini Ivory. What overall scene does it show?

A Greek mythological scene of Apollo

The coronation of an unknown king

A battle between two Roman generals

8. What style, country, date, artist, and scribe are associated with the illustration from Tabara Beatus? What scene does the illustration represent and what style of architecture is shown?

Mozarabic style; Spain; c. 970 CE; artist Emeterius and scribe Senior; shows monastery and artists at work; Islamic-influenced architecture

Romanesque style; France; 1500 CE; Leonardo and Michelangelo; Gothic architecture

Byzantine style; Italy; 800 CE; Raphael and Botticelli; Baroque palace scene

Gothic style; England; 1200 CE; Rembrandt and Vermeer; Renaissance architecture

The correct answer refers to specific details related to the illustration from Tabara Beatus, including the style, country, date, artist, scribe, scene represented, and architecture style shown. The incorrect answers provide misleading information that does not align with the known details of the illustration.

Explanation

The correct answer refers to specific details related to the illustration from Tabara Beatus, including the style, country, date, artist, scribe, scene represented, and architecture style shown. The incorrect answers provide misleading information that does not align with the known details of the illustration.

9. Identify the characteristics of the painting 16-14, St. Matthew from the Ebbo Gospels.

Romanesque; features rigid poses and flat colors

Byzantine; shows calm, static composition and frontal figure

Carolingian; patron Bishop Ebbo; features agitated drapery, expressive eyes, and rapid brushstrokes showing divine inspiration; influenced by Hellenistic emotion

Gothic; detailed naturalism and landscape background

10. What medium and symbolic purpose are found in Rebecca at the Well from the Vienna Genesis?

Parchment manuscript with painted figures narrating divine providence and salvation; used as illuminated scripture

Stone relief used for temple decoration

Gold chalice symbolizing royal power

Mosaic panel of imperial worship

The correct answer is “Parchment manuscript with painted figures narrating divine providence and salvation; used as illuminated scripture.” The Rebecca at the Well scene from the Vienna Genesis is a prime example of an illuminated manuscript, painted on parchment made from calfskin (vellum) around 500–550 CE during the Early Christian period. It blends Late Roman artistic traits—such as the continuous narrative (Rebecca shown twice performing different actions)—with emerging Christian themes of divine guidance and purity. The story’s visual symbolism illustrates God’s providence through Rebecca’s actions, and the manuscript’s luxurious materials reflect its devotional purpose as a sacred, instructive text.

Explanation

The correct answer is “Parchment manuscript with painted figures narrating divine providence and salvation; used as illuminated scripture.” The Rebecca at the Well scene from the Vienna Genesis is a prime example of an illuminated manuscript, painted on parchment made from calfskin (vellum) around 500–550 CE during the Early Christian period. It blends Late Roman artistic traits—such as the continuous narrative (Rebecca shown twice performing different actions)—with emerging Christian themes of divine guidance and purity. The story’s visual symbolism illustrates God’s providence through Rebecca’s actions, and the manuscript’s luxurious materials reflect its devotional purpose as a sacred, instructive text.