AP Art History : Analyzing twentieth- and twenty-first-century sculpture

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Art History

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Analyzing Twentieth And Twenty First Century Sculpture

Which of the following is true of Judy Chicago's The Dinner Party?

Possible Answers:

It includes the inscribed names of notable men as well, in order to convey the important female relationship to men.

It avoids using traditionally female craft techniques as a way of elevating women to a higher purpose.

It is aimed at establishing respect for women and their art, educating the public about women's role in history and the fine arts and making this accessible to a broad audience.

It includes spaces for only 13 women, reminiscent of the Last Supper.

It is a large departure from Judy Chicago's typical works, as it avoids discussing female sexuality.

Correct answer:

It is aimed at establishing respect for women and their art, educating the public about women's role in history and the fine arts and making this accessible to a broad audience.

Explanation:

Chicago aims at elevating female achievements in this work, honoring traditional female roles and celebrating the strength, inventiveness, creativity, and independence of women throughout history. Its feminist themes touch on sexuality, traditional gender roles, concepts of achievement, and more.

Example Question #2 : Analyzing Twentieth And Twenty First Century Sculpture

Unique forms of continuity in space 1913.jpg large

This sculpture is an example of what artistic movement?

Possible Answers:

Fauvism

Surrealism

Futurism

Cubism

Abstract Expressionism

Correct answer:

Futurism

Explanation:

While it may bear some similar principles to movements like Surrealism and Cubism, the sculpture's emphasis on the energy of a body in motion is a prime example of Futurism, of which Boccioni was a leading artist. Fauvism is not applicable to sculpture, dealing instead with the color palette of paintings, and Abstract Expressionism largely did away with representational figures, even somewhat abstracted ones like the sculpture in question.

Image is in the public domain:  http://www.wikiart.org/en/umberto-boccioni/unique-forms-of-continuity-in-space-1913

Example Question #3 : Analyzing Twentieth And Twenty First Century Sculpture

Unique forms of continuity in space 1913.jpg large

In his Technical Manifesto of Futurist Sculpture, Boccioni proclaimed the abolition of __________________.

Possible Answers:

the palpable extension of objects in space

definite lines

spiraling momentum

striding figures

round shapes

Correct answer:

definite lines

Explanation:

The answer is "defining lines," of which there are none in this sculpture. All of the other answers are key features of both Futurism and this sculpture.

Image is in the public domain:  http://www.wikiart.org/en/umberto-boccioni/unique-forms-of-continuity-in-space-1913

Example Question #4 : Analyzing Twentieth And Twenty First Century Sculpture

Unique forms of continuity in space 1913.jpg large

All of the following are qualities of the figure except _______________.

Possible Answers:

speed

impetuosity

muscularity

momentum

weight

Correct answer:

weight

Explanation:

The figure demonstrates momentum and speed in the way Boccioni has conveyed his forward movement. Impetuosity is an emotional quality we can infer from the speed and momentum. Though it lacks defined muscles in a naturalistic way, the sculpture also conveys a sense of muscularity through the unique rendering of his body parts. Of all these qualities, and in spite of this being a bronze sculpture, weight is not a fitting description for a figure that has muscularity but also a significant lightness to it.

Image is in the public domain:  http://www.wikiart.org/en/umberto-boccioni/unique-forms-of-continuity-in-space-1913

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