CLEP Humanities : Analyzing the Content of Medieval 2D Visual Art
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Analyzing The Content Of Medieval 2 D Visual Art
The above painting depicts what biblical scene that was a common feature of medieval art?
The Apocalypse
The Crucifixion
The Visitation
The Annunciation
The Magnificat
The Annunciation
This painting is by the Medieval artist Fra Angelico and known as the Cortona Annunciation. Painted from 1433-1434, it depicts the archangel Gabriel telling the Virgin Mary that she is pregnant with the Christ child. The Annunciation, as a key moment in the Bible, was a very popular theme in Medieval European art. This particular painting was part of an altarpiece in a church in Cortona, Italy, and painted by a priest.
Example Question #2 : Analyzing The Content Of Medieval 2 D Visual Art
In Medieval art, a man dying with arrows in his sides depicts __________.
Jesus Christ
Julius Caesar
Saint Sebastian
Saint George
Saint Peter
Saint Sebastian
Saint Sebastian was a martyr of the early Christian church who died in the Diocletian persecutions of the third century CE. He became a popular figure in medieval art, usually shown as being tied to a tree with arrows in his sides. This image was to convey what an appropriate Christian martyr should look like.
Example Question #3 : Analyzing The Content Of Medieval 2 D Visual Art
The Virgin Mary is usually depicted wearing what color garment in medieval art?
Green
Red
Black
Gray
Blue
Blue
As one of the most revered figures in Christianity, the Virgin Mary was a constant theme of medieval religious art. In order to function as a highly visible symbol in a mostly illiterate culture, many different symbols were used to distinguish Mary. Most important was her robe, which was typically a bright blue color, which denoted expensive silks.
Example Question #4 : Analyzing The Content Of Medieval 2 D Visual Art
In Christian hagiography, which figure is depicted as having a stone in his head?
Jesus Christ
John the Baptist
Saint Stephen
Saint Peter
Saint Paul
Saint Stephen
Saint Stephen is traditionally considered the first martyr of Christianity, and his death by stoning is told in the biblical book of Acts. Due to the circumstances of his death, he was usually depicted with a stone implanted in his skull. Thanks to his position as "the first martyr," Saint Stephen very commonly depicted in Medieval art.
Example Question #5 : Analyzing The Content Of Medieval 2 D Visual Art
Which of the following artistic styles was most likely to feature Christian iconography?
Greek art
Impressionist art
Renaissance art
Roman art
Gothic art
Gothic art
While Christian iconography and themes feature as the most common subjects in Western art, certain periods were more heavily indebted to Christian tradition. During the period of Gothic art, which was roughly synonymous with the twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth centuries in Europe, Christian themes were almost the only ones used. Even in royal portraits, such as the Wilton Diptych from England, featured saints and angels next to the King.
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