AP Art History : Understanding terminology that describes 2D art of the Americas

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Art History

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Example Questions

Example Question #471 : 2 D Art

The last colonial-era art institution in Mexico, the Academy of San Carlos, was established in 1783 by the Spanish Crown __________.

Possible Answers:

to further encourage the artistic and culture independence of its colonies in the Americas

to distract its colonial citizens from the growing unrest within its colonies

to train artists from its colonies in the Americas for future employment in Spain

to gentrify its colonial citizens who had begun to fall back into indigenous Aztec traditions

to regain control of the artistic expression of its colonies in the Americas

Correct answer:

to regain control of the artistic expression of its colonies in the Americas

Explanation:

The Academy of San Carlos was established by the Spanish crown and staffed with an all-Spanish cast of instructors in order to better control the artistic expression of the colonials, and the messages they were potentially spreading to one another about ideas that the Spanish Crown considered "dangerous." After all, the Spanish colonies of the Americas were growing increasingly culturally independent.

Example Question #4 : 2 D Art Beyond European Artistic Traditions

The first known artists of New Spain were ____________________.

Possible Answers:

Catholic priests

Protestants who were eager to convert the indigenous population

None of these answers

Spanish painters who had relocated to New Spain to continue their careers

young, indigenous painters eager to learn how to create Spanish art

Correct answer:

Spanish painters who had relocated to New Spain to continue their careers

Explanation:

Although there were paintings done by indigenous artists in New Spain, the artists are unknown. Therefore, the first known artists are those who relocated to New Spain as adults, during their artistic careers. Some of these painters were religious figureheads, but they were Catholic, not Protestant.

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