AP Art History : Analyzing Asian 2D art

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Art History

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Analyzing Asian 2 D Art

Which of the following is NOT a key symbol in Buddhist iconography?

Possible Answers:

Trees

Lotus

The Lion

The Wheel

Correct answer:

Trees

Explanation:

The Lion symbolizes Buddha's royal status. The Wheel denotes Buddha's law. The Lotus is a symbol of Buddha's natural origins. Trees are not a key symbol in the iconographic scheme of Buddhist art.

Example Question #481 : Ap Art History

Fan Kuan's Travellers Among Mountains and Streams exemplifies Northern Song painting in its use of which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Shading

Varied brushstrokes

Hanging scroll format

Composite or multiple perspectives

Ink and color on silk

Correct answer:

Composite or multiple perspectives

Explanation:

Monumental landscapes during the Northern Song dynasty are characterized by their use of three distinct perspectives in the composition: high distance, level distance, and deep distance.

Example Question #482 : Ap Art History

Ogata korin   red and white plum blossoms  national treasure    google art project

White and Red Plum Blossoms, by Ogata Kōrin, is notable among Japanese art for its use of _________________.

Possible Answers:

oil paint

watercolor

gold leaf

gemstones

Correct answer:

gold leaf

Explanation:

Instead of painting in golden hued paint on the screen in his White and Red Plum Blossoms, Ogata Kōrin inlays actual gold leaf onto his work of art, having the gold dominate the work of art. This use of non-paint or ink materials in creating screens was a signature element of the Rinpa school, who also utilized items such as mother of pearl, although gold leaf was by far the most frequent material included in Rinpa school work.

Artwork from Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ogata_Korin_-_RED_AND_WHITE_PLUM_BLOSSOMS_(National_Treasure)_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg

Example Question #483 : Ap Art History

Ogata korin   red and white plum blossoms  national treasure    google art project

The work shown here is an example of a Japanese _____________.

Possible Answers:

handscroll

hanging scroll

woodblock print

folding screen

Correct answer:

folding screen

Explanation:

Folding screens are a central part of Japanese art due to their use in Japanese domestic architecture as dividers between different spaces. This meant that screens such as White and Red Plum Blossoms by Ogata Kōrin were central decorative objects in houses during the Edo Period of Japanese history. Ogata Kōrin's work was one of the key developments of folding screens as an art form.

Artwork from Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ogata_Korin_-_RED_AND_WHITE_PLUM_BLOSSOMS_(National_Treasure)_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg

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