Question 1

Which of the following was characteristic of the work of Simone Martini?

Accepted Answer

Simone Martini was known for his elegant flowing contour lines in his art, particularly in his depictions of figures and clothing. He was also known for his attention to detail and use of vibrant colors, but not for the other options listed.

Question 2

This artist projected on a flat surface the illusion of space. He also projected the illusion of solid bodies moving though that space. This description describes which of the following artists?

Accepted Answer

Giotto is known for his creation of a more realistic style of painting, using techniques such as linear perspective to create the illusion of a three-dimensional space on a flat surface. He also depicted figures in motion, further enhancing the sense of space and depth in his paintings.

Question 3

Who is the architect for the cathedral of Florence?

Accepted Answer

Arnolfo di Cambio is credited as the architect of the cathedral of Florence, also known as the Florence Duomo. The construction of the cathedral began in 1296 and was completed in 1436, with a number of architects involved throughout the centuries. Giotto and Pietro Cavallini were both important artists in the history of Italian art, but not architects of the Florence Duomo. Orcagna (Andrea di Cione) was a painter, sculptor, and architect, but his most famous architectural work is the Strozzi Palace in Florence, not the Florence Duomo.

Question 4

The frontality, stiff poses, and lack of modeling as seen in Berlinghieri's Saint Francis Altarpiece can be said to be which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The frontality, stiff poses, and lack of modeling seen in Berlinghieri's Saint Francis Altarpiece are all characteristic of medieval art.

Question 5

What are confraternities?

Accepted Answer

Confraternities were lay organizations formed during the medieval period, often dedicated to strict religious observance and charitable activities. They were not political action groups, protectors of the king, or papal guards.

Question 6

The most devastating natural disaster in Europe during the late 1300s was which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Black Death, also known as the Bubonic Plague, swept through Europe in the late 1300s, killing an estimated 25 million people and causing widespread social and economic disruption. It was one of the most devastating natural disasters in European history. Mad cow disease, the collapse of the linen market, and the failure of the Medici banks were all significant events, but they did not have the same widespread impact as the Black Death.

Question 7

The Triumph of Death is a powerful depiction of death and the folly of pleasure and the inevitability of death. The Dominicans, an order committed to a life of poverty, participated in the design of this work. Based on this which of the following groups would be portrayed in a negative light?

Accepted Answer

The Triumph of Death depicts the folly of pleasure and luxury, which would likely be associated with the young aristocrats, who would be portrayed in a negative light. The hermits and St. Macarius, who were devoted to a life of poverty and spirituality, would likely be portrayed in a positive light. The coffin-encased corpses would serve as a reminder of the inevitability of death for all.

Question 8

What did the humanist cult of fame emphasize?

Accepted Answer

The humanist cult of fame emphasized the importance of creative individuals, particularly those in literature and the arts, in the development of human culture and society. Famous individuals were seen as examples to be emulated and celebrated.

Question 9

This historian, Giovanni Villani, wrote in the 14ᵗʰ century that this city was, "the daughter and creature of Rome" suggesting a preeminence inherited from the Roman Empire. Which of the following city-states does this phrase describe?

Accepted Answer

The historian Giovanni Villani described Florence as "the daughter and creature of Rome", suggesting a preeminence inherited from the Roman Empire.

Question 10

The word Renaissance means rebirth. Which of the following was a revived interest during this time?

Accepted Answer

The Renaissance was mainly focused on the revival of Classical culture, including the art, literature, and philosophy of Ancient Greece and Rome.

Question 11

Which of the following cities was considered the rightful capital of the Roman Catholic Church?

Accepted Answer

Rome is considered the rightful capital of the Roman Catholic Church as it is the seat of the Holy See and the location of St. Peter's Basilica, where the Pope delivers his sermons and holds Mass. Avignon was the seat of the Papacy for a period in the 14th century, but it was not considered the rightful capital of the Church. Florence and Paris were important centers of art, culture, and politics during the Renaissance, but they were not considered capitals of the Roman Catholic Church.

Question 12

The work of Giovanni Pisano as seen in his pulpit for Sant'Andrea, Pistoia, shows a nervous energy and emotion not found in the work of his father. It can be said that the work of Giovanni shows an interest in which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The nervous energy and emotion present in Giovanni Pisano's work suggest an interest in burgeoning naturalism, which emphasizes accurate depictions of the natural world and human emotions.

Question 13

Which city was at its height of political and economic power when it employed the talents of the sculptor Nicola Pisano?

Accepted Answer

Nicola Pisano was a renowned sculptor whose work was a precursor to the Italian Renaissance. He was most active in Pisa, where he contributed significantly to the city's architecture and sculpture, including the famous pulpit of the Pisa Baptistery. This period marked a high point in Pisa's political and economic power.

Question 14

Which of the following is a medieval element depicted on the pulpit for the Baptistery of Pisa Cathedral?

Accepted Answer

Trilobed arches are a common feature of medieval architecture and design, and are depicted on the pulpit for the Baptistery of Pisa Cathedral. The other options do not specifically relate to medieval elements on the pulpit.

Question 15

Which of the following cities established itself as a major shipping power?

Accepted Answer

Pisa established itself as a major shipping power in the Middle Ages due to its strategic location on the Arno River and its access to the sea. Its fleet dominated Mediterranean trade for centuries.

Question 16

Giotto's Enthroned Madonna reflected the new trend toward naturalism and classical modeling of the figures. Which of the following describes this new trend?

Accepted Answer

The trend toward naturalism and classical modeling meant that artists sought to depict figures that were solid and had mass, rather than appearing flat or ethereal. This is reflected in Giotto's Enthroned Madonna, where the Virgin Mary is depicted with a sense of weight and substance.

Question 17

Which of the following is the sculptor whose work showed the greatest influence of the forms of classical antiquity?

Accepted Answer

Nicola Pisano is credited as the sculptor whose work showed the greatest influence of the forms of classical antiquity, particularly in his pulpit for the Pisa Cathedral, which incorporates classical motifs and techniques such as a relief of the Labours of Hercules.

Question 18

Which of the following works describes the Roman school of painting that replaced Byzantine stylized dignity with the careful depiction of light?

Accepted Answer

The Last Judgment by Michelangelo is a fresco in the Sistine Chapel that depicts the Second Coming of Christ and the Last Judgment. It is considered one of the greatest works of Western art and is known for its careful depiction of light.

Question 19

The International Style illustrated rich color, intricate patterns, and weightless figures. Which of the following works depicts this style?

Accepted Answer

The International Style emphasized delicate line work, intricate patterns, and bright colors, often featuring elongated, weightless figures. The Annunciation, with its intricately patterned background and delicate, elongated figures, exemplifies this style.

Question 20

Which of the following is the monastic order that influenced art through its stress on nature and the primacy of personal experience?

Accepted Answer

The Franciscan order emphasized nature and the personal experience of God, which had a significant influence on art during the Gothic era. Their beliefs inspired artists to incorporate naturalistic elements into their works, such as scenes from everyday life and landscapes, and to focus on individual emotions and experiences in religious depictions.

Quiz 14: Late Medieval Italy