Question 1

Which artist best depicted the urbane and somewhat melancholy revelries of the eighteenth-century European aristocracy?
A) J. B. S. Chardin
B) Jacques-Louis David
C) Wolfgang Mozart
D) Antoine Watteau

Accepted Answer

Antoine Watteau's paintings captured the elegant and melancholic nature of the seventeenth-century aristocracy. His works such as "The Embarkation for Cythera" and "Pilgrimage to Cythera" portray the aristocracy as refined and graceful, yet also sentimental and somewhat disenchanted with the world around them.

Question 2

Which two artists are most closely associated with the rococo style in art?
A) Jacques Louis David and Thomas Jefferson
B) Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Mozart
C) Peter Paul Rubens and Nicolas Poussin
D) J.-H. Fragonard and Antoine Watteau

Accepted Answer

J.-H. Fragonard and Antoine Watteau are both French painters who are most closely associated with the rococo style in art. Their paintings often depicted scenes of leisure and pleasure, featuring pastel colors, intricate details, and ornate decoration. David and Jefferson were associated with neoclassicism, Rubens with Baroque, and Poussin with classicism. Haydn and Mozart were composers, not visual artists.

Question 3

In what phenomenon did the Parisian Madame Geoffrin play an important role?
A) the success of the salon as an intellectual and social occasion
B) the development of ballet as an independent art form
C) ending the aristocracy's dominance in French art
D) recovering the treasures of Pompeii and Herculaneum

Accepted Answer

Madame Geoffrin was a prominent figure in 18th-century Parisian salons, which were gatherings of writers, artists, and intellectuals for conversation and cultural exchange. She was known for her wit and intelligence, and her salon became a hub of intellectual activity. Therefore, Madame Geoffrin played an important role in the success of the salon as an intellectual and social occasion.

Question 4

François Boucher's The Toilet of Venus most clearly illustrates what idea or topic?
A) the legitimacy of absolute royal power
B) tensions among the social classes of Europe
C) a loving reconciliation of husband and wife
D) the luxurious self-indulgence of the rococo style

Accepted Answer

François Boucher's The Toilet of Venus is an exemplary rococo painting, featuring the luxurious self-indulgence and extravagance of the style. The subject matter, depicting the goddess Venus being attended to by a retinue of cherubs while surrounded by lavish textiles and ornate furnishings, perfectly encapsulates the rococo fascination with upper-class leisure and pleasure.

Question 5

Which of these would have been the most appropriate setting for a small rococo entertainment or a salon of Parisian wits and philosophers?
A) Church of the Vierzehnheiligen, Germany
B) the Hôtel de Soubise, Paris
C) the Residenz, Würzburg, Germany
D) Monticello, Virginia

Accepted Answer

The Hôtel de Soubise, located in the heart of Paris, was a popular location for rococo entertainments and salons. It was frequented by many of the leading philosophers, writers, and artists of the time, making it a perfect setting for a gathering of Parisian wits and intellectuals. The other options either do not have a connection to the Rococo period or are located outside of France, which was the center of Rococo culture.

Question 6

Which movement or style employed shell-like decoration and themes of playful sexuality or seduction?
A) rococo
B) Storm and Stress
C) the Encyclopedists
D) neoclassicism

Accepted Answer

The movement or style that employed shell-like decoration and themes of playful sexuality or seduction is rococo. The other choices do not focus on these specific artistic characteristics.

Question 7

Who created romanticized portraits that he called "fancy pictures" that appealed to the wealthy classes of eighteenth-century Britain?
A) Thomas Gainsborough
B) Antoine Watteau
C) Balthasar Neumann
D) William Hogarth

Accepted Answer

Thomas Gainsborough was known for creating romanticized portraits that he referred to as "fancy pictures". These portraits were popular with the wealthy classes in eighteenth-century Britain.

Question 8

Which statement best describes the aim of the Enlightenment philosophes?
A) establishing the theoretical basis of modern science
B) the practical application of reason to human problems
C) the rediscovery of Europe's roots in classical civilization
D) overthrowing the powers of absolutist monarchs

Accepted Answer

The Enlightenment philosophes aimed to apply reason to human problems in order to create a more rational and just society. While some Enlightenment thinkers did contribute to the development of modern science, this was not the primary goal of the movement. Rediscovering Europe's roots in classical civilization was also not a main aim, and while some philosophes did advocate for the limiting of monarchic power, the overall goal was not to overthrow absolutist monarchs.

Question 9

What term describes the idea, popularized by J.-J. Rousseau, that human society originated in an agreement among naturally free individuals to establish the rule of law and civil society?
A) neoclassicism
B) the divine covenant
C) sensibilité
D) the social contract

Accepted Answer

The term that describes this idea is the social contract, which is the best match for the popularized idea of human society originating from an agreement among naturally free individuals to establish the rule of law and civil society. The other options, neoclassicism, the divine covenant, and sensibilité, do not directly relate to this specific concept.

Question 10

With what term or concept did Adam Smith describe the principle that individuals pursuing their individual self-interest would naturally create prosperity and happiness for all?
A) enlightenment
B) invisible hand
C) categorical imperative
D) general will

Accepted Answer

Adam Smith described the principle of individuals pursuing their individual self-interest creating prosperity and happiness for all as the "invisible hand."

Question 11

What would an eighteenth-century deist most likely have done?
A) constructed a country home in the Palladian style
B) practiced spiritual exercises to achieve religious insight
C) questioned the right of humans to overthrow governments
D) doubted the revelations of the Christian Bible

Accepted Answer

Eighteenth-century deists believed in a supreme being who created the universe but did not intervene in human affairs or perform miracles. They relied on reason and science, and so they would likely have doubted the revelations of the Christian Bible.

Question 12

J.-J. Rousseau's novel titled Émile would today be most influential in what field of study?
A) the economic study of free markets
B) the philosophical basis of modern science
C) the philosophy of education
D) the nature of religious experience

Accepted Answer

Émile is a novel about the philosophy of education, specifically the development of a child's natural abilities through education rather than societal norms and conventions.

Question 13

Which most directly expresses the neoclassical desire for simplicity and classical decoration?
A) Mozart's operas
B) Gabriel's Petit Trianon
C) Samuel Richardson's novels
D) Neumann's Church of the Vierzehnheiligen

Accepted Answer

The Petit Trianon, designed by neoclassical architect Gabriel, is a prime example of the neoclassical desire for simplicity and classical decoration. The building is characterized by clean lines, symmetrical designs, and classical motifs such as columns and pediments. Mozart's operas and Samuel Richardson's novels do not necessarily express neoclassical architectural principles, and while Neumann's Church of the Vierzehnheiligen is a neoclassical building, it features more ornate decoration than the simplicity desired by neoclassical architects.

Question 14

Which of these works best illustrates the fashion of sensibilité by its appeal to moralizing sentiment?
A) Greuze's The Bride of the Village
B) Goethe's Götz von Berlichingen
C) Mozart's Symphony #40 in G minor
D) Hogarth's The Marriage Contract

Accepted Answer

Greuze's The Bride of the Village is a prime example of sensibilité, as it depicts a young peasant bride weeping as she is forced to leave her family and marry a stranger. The painting's emotional appeal reflects the moralizing sentiment of the sensibilité movement, which emphasized the importance of virtue and sentimentality in art. The other works listed do not exemplify the fashion of sensibilité in the same way. Götz von Berlichingen is a Romantic play that emphasizes individualism and heroism, while Mozart's Symphony #40 is a musical composition that expresses intense emotional drama but is not explicitly moralizing. Hogarth's The Marriage Contract is a satirical painting that comments on the moral failings of the upper class, but it does not reflect the sentimental ideals of sensibilité.

Question 15

What was the most notable achievement of Marie-Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun?
A) reform the practice of ballet dance
B) paint flattering portraits of Europe's nobility
C) establish a famous salon in rococo Paris
D) compose popular operas performed in Vienna and Prague

Accepted Answer

Marie-Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun is most notable for her career as a portrait painter, particularly of Europe's nobility. She was a popular choice among French aristocrats during the late 18th century and painted over 600 portraits, including some of Marie Antoinette.

Question 16

Which statement best describes the works of J.-H. Fragonard, creator of The Progress of Love?
A) defined the form of the Classical symphony
B) embodied the light-hearted charm of the rococo
C) criticized the softness and indulgence of contemporary painting
D) established the bourgeois sentimental drama in Germany

Accepted Answer

J.-H. Fragonard's works are known for embodying the light-hearted charm of the rococo style, often depicting scenes of romance and leisure. The Progress of Love is a series of four paintings that showcase this style.

Question 17

Which work best embodies the principles of eighteenth-century neoclassicism?
A) Fragonard's The Swing
B) Hogarth's Marriage Contract
C) David's Oath of the Horatii
D) Mozart's Marriage of Figaro

Accepted Answer

David's Oath of the Horatii is a prime example of neoclassical art because it embodies the principles of rationality, simplicity, and order that were characteristic of the movement. The painting depicts a classical story from Roman history, and it is characterized by its clean lines, balanced composition, and emphasis on heroic virtue. In contrast, Fragonard's The Swing is a Rococo painting that emphasizes sensuality and frivolity, while Hogarth's Marriage Contract is a satirical work that critiques societal norms. Mozart's Marriage of Figaro is a musical work that reflects the Enlightenment ideals of liberty and equality, but it does not embody the visual principles of neoclassicism.

Question 18

The Marriage of Figaro by W. A. Mozart is an example of what musical form?
A) symphony
B) opera
C) oratorio
D) motet

Accepted Answer

The Marriage of Figaro is an opera, which is a musical form that combines music, singing, and drama to tell a story.

Question 19

Which of these works might have been most influenced by Palladio's book of classical designs, an important document in eighteenth-century neoclassicism?
A) Jefferson's Monticello
B) Haydn's London symphonies
C) Boffrand's Hôtel de Soubise
D) Noverre's ballet d'action

Accepted Answer

Palladio's book of classical designs had a significant influence on American architecture, particularly in the neoclassicism movement of the 18th century. Thomas Jefferson, who was a proponent of neoclassicism, was heavily influenced by Palladio's designs and used them as inspiration for his own architecture, including his famous Monticello estate.

Question 20

In Rousseau's Social Contract, what was the term for the collective desire of citizens as guided by public virtue?
A) Leviathan
B) covenant
C) general will
D) categorical imperative

Accepted Answer

The term in Rousseau's Social Contract for the collective desire of citizens as guided by public virtue is the "general will." This concept is essential to Rousseau's political philosophy and refers to the common good or the interests of the community as a whole, rather than the individual interests of each citizen. The general will is discovered through deliberation and consensus-building among citizens, and it serves as the basis for legitimate political authority.

Quiz 10: The Enlightenment

Which artist best depicted the urbane and somewhat melancholy revelries of the eighteenth-century European aristocracy?

Which two artists are most closely associated with the rococo style in art?

In what phenomenon did the Parisian Madame Geoffrin play an important role?

François Boucher's The Toilet of Venus most clearly illustrates what idea or topic?

Which of these would have been the most appropriate setting for a small rococo entertainment or a salon of Parisian wits and philosophers?

Which movement or style employed shell-like decoration and themes of playful sexuality or seduction?

Who created romanticized portraits that he called "fancy pictures" that appealed to the wealthy classes of eighteenth-century Britain?

Which statement best describes the aim of the Enlightenment philosophes?

What term describes the idea, popularized by J.-J. Rousseau, that human society originated in an agreement among naturally free individuals to establish the rule of law and civil society?

With what term or concept did Adam Smith describe the principle that individuals pursuing their individual self-interest would naturally create prosperity and happiness for all?

What would an eighteenth-century deist most likely have done?

J.-J. Rousseau's novel titled Émile would today be most influential in what field of study?

Which most directly expresses the neoclassical desire for simplicity and classical decoration?

Which of these works best illustrates the fashion of sensibilité by its appeal to moralizing sentiment?

What was the most notable achievement of Marie-Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun?

Which statement best describes the works of J.-H. Fragonard, creator of The Progress of Love?

Which work best embodies the principles of eighteenth-century neoclassicism?

The Marriage of Figaro by W. A. Mozart is an example of what musical form?

Which of these works might have been most influenced by Palladio's book of classical designs, an important document in eighteenth-century neoclassicism?

In Rousseau's Social Contract, what was the term for the collective desire of citizens as guided by public virtue?