Question 1

The duke of Bavaria, Wilhelm IV, engaged the invading Turks in a battle for supremacy. Which of the following works of art would be the most likely commission of Wilhelm IV?

Accepted Answer

The Battle of Issus is a historical depiction of a battle between Alexander the Great and the Persian king Darius III. As Wilhelm IV was engaged in a battle, it is likely that he would commission a work of art that depicts a victorious military battle.

Question 2

Which of the following made up the territory known as the Netherlands in the 16ᵗʰ century?

Accepted Answer

In the 16th century, the territory known as the Netherlands was made up of Luxembourg, Holland, and Belgium. Switzerland is a separate country and Bavaria and Northern Italy were not part of the Netherlands.

Question 3

The destruction of images in German cities that occurred in the 1520s is known as the ____.

Accepted Answer

The destruction of images in German cities in the 1520s is known as the Great Iconoclasm, which was a movement that sought to remove religious images from churches and other public spaces.

Question 4

In Pieter Aertsen's Meat Still-Life, the artist has created what appears to be a descriptive genre scene, a butcher's shop displaying its products, as well as fish and pretzels. This work also has embedded within it which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Pieter Aertsen's Meat Still-Life has embedded religious references, such as the inclusion of a scene from the story of Christ's visit to Martha and Mary in the Bible which is depicted on the painting hanging on the wall. The inclusion of religious references in still-life paintings during the Dutch Golden Age was a common practice, as it allowed artists to convey moral and religious messages to viewers in a subtle way.

Question 5

In El Greco's Burial of Count Orgaz, the artist has successfully merged his early and late styles. He combined elongated figures and rich color in this one work. Which of the following describes his early and late styles?

Accepted Answer

El Greco's early style was influenced by his Byzantine heritage, characterized by elongated figures and a flattened perspective, while his later style was influenced by his time spent in Venice, with a focus on rich colors and a more dynamic composition. The Burial of Count Orgaz successfully merges these two styles, with elongated figures and a rich, colorful palette.

Question 6

Hans Holbein, a master portraitist, combines realism with monumental composition and sculpturesque form. Which of the following traditions does this describe?

Accepted Answer

Hans Holbein's style combines the realism and attention to detail of the Flemish tradition with the monumental composition and sculptural form of the Italian tradition. This blend of influences is particularly evident in his famous portraits of English royalty and nobility.

Question 7

The personal tastes of the court of Francis I ran to the elegant, erotic, and unorthodox. Which of the following styles would most appeal to this king and his court?

Accepted Answer

The court of Francis I was known for embracing the unconventional and experimental, making mannerism the most likely choice as it was a style that emphasized the manipulation of form and space over the traditional ideas of beauty and harmony found in classicism. The expressiveness of Grunewald and the intellectualism of Leonardo may have been appreciated by the court, but they do not align as closely with the court's tastes as mannerism.

Question 8

Francis I by Jean Clouet presents a worldly prince in an elaborate costume of silk and brocade and wearing a gold chain with the medallion of the Order of St. Michael. Which of the following suggests the purpose of this portrait?

Accepted Answer

The elaborate costume and the depiction of Francis I as a worldly prince suggest that the purpose of this portrait was to glorify him and promote his image as a powerful and impressive ruler. It is unlikely that the portrait was intended to overshadow Henry VIII or Charles V, as there is no evidence to suggest that such a rivalry was the motivation behind its creation. Similarly, while Francis may have been seeking a wife at the time, there is no clear indication that this portrait was intended to serve as an enticement for potential suitors.

Question 9

In the Money Changer and His Wife by Quentin Massys, the artist has given us an image of a professional man transacting business. Massys has provided insight into which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The painting depicts the secular life of the Netherlands, specifically the profession of money changing, which was a common trade in the commercial center of Antwerp where Massys lived and worked.

Question 10

Why is Saint Anthony prominently featured in the Isenheim Altarpiece?

Accepted Answer

Saint Anthony is prominently featured in the Isenheim Altarpiece due to his association with diseases and miraculous cures. The altarpiece was created for a hospital that treated patients suffering from skin diseases, and Saint Anthony was known as the patron saint of those afflicted with diseases. Therefore, his image was included to provide comfort and hope to the patients.

Question 11

The Battle of Issus, which depicts the battle that took place between Alexander the Great and the Persians, was selected as a subject by Wilhelm IV because it reflected his endeavors to ____.

Accepted Answer

The Battle of Issus was a conflict between Alexander the Great and Darius III of Persia, which took place in 333 BC. Therefore, it has no relation to the issues of finding a wife, holding onto Catholic territories or waging war against Martin Luther. However, the Battle of Issus was a significant moment in history as it marked the beginning of Alexander's conquest of the Persian Empire and the expansion of Muslim forces centuries later. Therefore, it is likely that Wilhelm IV selected this subject for its relevance to his efforts to stop the Muslim expansion.

Question 12

Who created Knight, Death, and the Devil?

Accepted Answer

Knight, Death, and the Devil is a famous engraving by Albrecht Dürer, a German Renaissance artist. It was created in 1513 and depicts a knight riding through a rocky landscape, accompanied by a personification of Death and a menacing devil. The print is considered one of Dürer's most iconic works and a masterpiece of Northern Renaissance art.

Question 13

In Grünewald's Isenheim Altarpiece, the artist has used specific references, saints and symbols to depict pain, suffering, and salvation and redemption. Which of the following symbols can be interpreted to mean the Son of God?

Accepted Answer

The lamb is often used as a symbol for Jesus Christ. In Christian theology, Jesus is referred to as the "Lamb of God" who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). In Grünewald's Isenheim Altarpiece, the lamb is depicted as bleeding and wounded, which could be interpreted as a reference to Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross.

Question 14

The first known northern European self-portrait by a woman is purportedly by which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The first known northern European self-portrait by a woman is purportedly by Caterina van Hemessen, a Flemish Renaissance painter, who created it in 1548 when she was 20 years old. The other artists listed were also female painters, but they were not known for creating the first northern European self-portrait by a woman.

Question 15

In Bruegel's Netherlandish Proverbs, the artist has depicted the Netherlandish obsession with proverbs. The scene is busy with a topsy-turvy multiplicity of figures and activities. It is reminiscent of which of the following artists?

Accepted Answer

Bruegel's Netherlandish Proverbs is reminiscent of the works of Hieronymus Bosch, who also created chaotic scenes with multiple figures engaged in bizarre and often symbolic activities. Bosch's paintings were known for their moralizing themes and use of fantastical creatures, both of which are present in Bruegel's Netherlandish Proverbs.

Question 16

In Allegory of Law and Grace, the artist has depicted the differences between the Roman Catholic Church and the followers of Martin Luther. The artist who created this woodcut was dubbed with the title, "painter of the Reformation." Who is the artist?

Accepted Answer

The artist who created the woodcut, "Allegory of Law and Grace," and was dubbed with the title "painter of the Reformation" was Lucas Cranach the Elder.

Question 17

The Protestant concern about the role of religious imagery was in many cases outright hostile. Martin Luther spoke about destroying images. This destruction of religious imagery also occurred during the Byzantine period. Which of the following defines this act?

Accepted Answer

Iconoclasm refers to the destruction of religious imagery, particularly in the context of a theological or religious disagreement. This was a major concern for Protestants, as well as in the Byzantine Empire during the ninth and early tenth centuries.

Question 18

The Escorial is in which country?

Accepted Answer

The Escorial is a historical residence of the King of Spain, located in the town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, near Madrid, Spain. Therefore, the correct choice is D.

Question 19

The miniature portrait of Elizabeth I, shows an elegant, formally attired young Elizabeth presented as a princess. Who is the artist who created this memorable portrait?

Accepted Answer

The miniature portrait of Elizabeth I was created by Levina Teerlinc, a Flemish Renaissance artist who was appointed as the official court painter to Queen Elizabeth I in 1546. Hans Holbein was a famous portraitist of the Tudor court, but he died before Elizabeth I came to the throne. Caterina van Hemessen was a Flemish Renaissance artist who was known for her portraits and genre scenes, but there is no evidence that she ever painted Elizabeth I. Albrecht Dürer was a German Renaissance artist and printmaker who died more than 50 years before Elizabeth I was born, so he could not have painted her portrait.

Question 20

In Hunters in the Snow, the artist has captured the atmosphere of a cold winter's day. The landscape is snow-covered and stark with the returning hunters wearily trudging home. It is reminiscent of earlier renditions of seasons. Which of the following also described the seasons and might have been influential in the conception of this work?

Accepted Answer

The Limbourg Brothers' Les Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry is a famous illuminated manuscript depicting scenes from each month of the year, including winter scenes similar to Hunters in the Snow. The manuscript was created in the early 15th century and may have influenced the artist who created Hunters in the Snow.

Quiz 23: High Renaissance and Mannerism in Northern Europe and Spain