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midterm

The document is a midterm study guide for a History of Western Art course, featuring multiple-choice questions, comparisons of architectural works, and short answer prompts related to art and architecture. Key topics include Byzantine, Romanesque, and Gothic architecture, the process of creating illuminated manuscripts, and the significance of pilgrimage in medieval times. It also highlights specific works of art and their historical context.

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2 views8 pages

midterm

The document is a midterm study guide for a History of Western Art course, featuring multiple-choice questions, comparisons of architectural works, and short answer prompts related to art and architecture. Key topics include Byzantine, Romanesque, and Gothic architecture, the process of creating illuminated manuscripts, and the significance of pilgrimage in medieval times. It also highlights specific works of art and their historical context.

Uploaded by

13612843388
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Name: Qingrou Hu

Date:
History of Western Art-Midterm
Prof. Holden

I. Multiple choice:

These features would be found in:

a. Byzantine Architecture
b. Etruscan Architecture
c. Gothic Architecture
d. Romanesque Architecture

2. This is called a

a. radiating window
b. flower window
c. church window
d. rose window
3. Artifacts belonging to deceased Saints and religious figures were kept in…

a. reliquaries
b. reliefs
c. tabernacles
d. The Chamber of Secrets

4. Reasons pilgrims made their journeys were:

a. they wanted to go on vacation and churches were inexpensive


b. they believed that they could heal ailments by visiting significant sites and could deepen their faith
c. they loved architecture
d. they wanted to buy indulgences

5.

This is an example of…

a. an illuminated manuscript
b. an illustration
c. Medieval Calligraphy
d. really good handwriting

6. Features of Gothic architecture include:

a. mosaics, stone arches, and Justinian


b. hieroglyphs, pyramids, and gold
c. dark vaults, modest buildings, and low ceilings
d. pointed arches, flying buttresses and stained glass windows
7. Arches in Ancient Rome sometimes symbolized

a. defeat
b. triumph
c. weakness
d. Caesar's death

8. Roman art is often…

a. big
b. commemorative and religious
c. for sports
d. for stabbing Caesar

9. This is an…

a. vesuvius
b. circle
c. oculus
d. Caesar's Palace

10. The following item was found at...


a. Stonehenge
b. Sutton Hoo
c. Bath
d. The Tower of London

11. This building is…

a. the temple of Charlemagne


b. The Mosque of Cordoba
c. The Blue Mosque
d. Haiga Sophia

II. Compare and contrast the following. Identify both of the following works, and be able to articulate
the following. Demonstrate knowledge of architectural vocabulary 1o points total:
A. Last Judgment Tympanum, Saint-Lazare, Autun
Artist: Gislebertus
Date: c. 1120–1135 CE
Location: Cathedral of Saint-Lazare, Autun, France

B. The Mission of the Apostles Tympanum, Vézelay Abbey


Artist: Unknown
Date: c. 1120–1130 CE
Location: Church of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine, Vézelay, France

Both are Romanesque tympanums, featuring hieratic scale (larger Christ gure), deep relief carving, and thematic emphasis on Christian
doctrine. The Autun tympanum focuses on judgment and the afterlife, using exaggerated gures to instill fear and moral contemplation.
The Vézelay tympanum emphasizes evangelization and spreading Christianity, with a calmer and more structured composition. Both use
architectural vocabulary, such as archivolts, voussoirs, and lintels, in their composition.

III. Short Answer-PROVIDE A SHORT ANSWER FOR 2 (ONLY 2) of the following 5 points each.

1. Describe life in a monastery:

Life in a medieval monastery was highly structured and focused on religious devotion, labor, and study. Monks
followed the Rule of St. Benedict, which emphasized prayer (divine o ce), manual labor, and study. They lived
in self-su cient communities, growing their own food, copying manuscripts, and engaging in intellectual
pursuits. Silence, humility, and communal living were central to monastic life.

2. Explain the process of how an illuminated manuscript was made.

The process involved vellum/parchment preparation, sketching, applying gold leaf, painting with mineral
pigments, and detailed ornamentation. Monks in scriptoria meticulously copied religious texts, often
embellishing them with intricate designs.
3. Describe a pilgrim's journey, and what sorts of art they may have seen.

Pilgrims traveled to sacred sites (e.g., Santiago de Compostela, Canterbury). Along the way, they saw
Romanesque churches, reliquaries, and murals depicting biblical stories for religious education. Some sites
featured portal sculptures, like the tympanums above, reminding them of their spiritual journey.

4. Describe the structure and construction of San Vitale

San Vitale (Ravenna, Italy, 6th century) is a Byzantine church with an octagonal central plan rather than a
basilica layout. It features a domed clerestory, exedrae (semi-circular niches), and a complex interior with
mosaics depicting Emperor Justinian and Theodora. The use of brick and marble, along with a oating e ect
from the windows, demonstrates Byzantine architectural advancements.
5. Explain the origin of Gothic Architecture, and the significance of St. Denis.

Gothic architecture originated in France in the 12th century, pioneered by Abbot Suger at the Abbey of Saint-
Denis. It introduced pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and ying buttresses, allowing for taller structures and larger
stained glass windows. The design aimed to create a heavenly light- lled space, symbolizing divine presence.

6. Compare and contrast Romanesque Architecture and Gothic Architecture

Romanesque: Thick walls, small windows, rounded arches,


barrel vaults, dim interiors, fortress-like appearance.
Gothic: Pointed arches, ribbed vaults, ying buttresses,
large stained-glass windows, verticality, and openness.
Transition: Gothic improved upon Romanesque’s heavy
masonry by introducing structural innovations that allowed
for more light and height.

7. What is this image? What are the functions of


the numbered parts. Please provide their names
and what they do.

1. Nave: Central space for worshippers.


2. Clerestory: High windows letting in light.
3. Arcade: Row of arches supporting the structure.
4. Aisle: Walkway parallel to the nave.
8. What was the iconoclasm?

Iconoclasm was the destruction of religious images due to theological disputes over their role in worship. The
Byzantine Iconoclasm (8th–9th century CE) saw emperors banning religious imagery, arguing it led to idolatry, while
supporters (Iconophiles) argued icons aided devotion.

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