AP Art History : Answering other questions about 2D art in global Islamic traditions
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Example Questions
Example Question #52 : 2 D Art Beyond European Artistic Traditions
The early centuries of Islamic art are characterized by all of the following except _____________.
detailed, proportional representations of the human form
early Persian, Roman, and Byzantine influences
the use of arabesques
the incorporation of calligraphy
All of the answers are correct.
detailed, proportional representations of the human form
Although people sometimes do appear in early Islamic art, accurate and detailed representations don't appear. In part, this is because some feared that realistic depictions of religious figures could encourage idolatry. However, it is also in keeping with the traditions of the early Medieval period, where few artists rendered figures with the same emphasis on precision that later Renaissance artists would employ.
Example Question #53 : 2 D Art Beyond European Artistic Traditions
Bahram Gur fights the Karg, from the Great Il-Khanid Shahnama, shown here, is most influenced by the artistic tradition of ___________________.
Spain
Russia
China
Italy
China
During the thirteenth century, Mongolian armies invaded Persia, toppling the Khwarezmid Empire then ruling the area and creating a Khanate throughout the Persian Empire. Known as the Ilkhanid Empire, the Mongol rulers adopted Islam and many traditional Persian customs, but also imported many Chinese artisans and craftsman. This Chinese influence is present in Bahram Gur fights the Karg through the detailed landscape in the background of the painting and the vaguely Asian characteristics of the main subject, a historical Persian King.
Work is in the public domain, image accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Demotte_Shahname_002.jpg
Example Question #54 : 2 D Art Beyond European Artistic Traditions
Bahram Gur fights the Karg is most similar in style to which of the following works?
The Ardabil Carpet
Jahangir Preferring a Sufi Shaikh to Kings
Travelers Among Mountains and Streams
Folio From a Quran
Jahangir Preferring a Sufi Shaikh to Kings
Although separated by about 300 years and two large empires, both Bahram Gur fights the Karg and Jahangir Preferring a Sufi Shaikh to Kings are depictions of rulers in idealized forms. Additionally, each have a blending of Islamic, Indian, and Asian influences, thanks to their artists working in pan-national empires. Both works are also executed on paper as fine miniatures.
Work is in the public domain, image accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Demotte_Shahname_002.jpg
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