Question 1

The monastery church of St.Panteleimon at Nerezi was built under the patronage of
A) Basil I.
B) Prince Vladimir.
C) Alexios Komnenos.
D) Romanos II.

Accepted Answer

The monastery church of St. Panteleimon at Nerezi was built under the patronage of Alexios Komnenos, a member of the Byzantine imperial family, in 1164. This period was marked by significant contributions to art and architecture from the Komnenos dynasty.

Question 2

What originated in the third century,when devout Christians retired to the desert?
A) iconoclasm
B) monasticism
C) orthodoxy
D) pilgrimage

Accepted Answer

Monasticism originated in the third century when devout Christians retired to the desert to devote themselves to a more solitary and contemplative life.

Question 3

What pictorial element indicates an otherworldly space in Empress Theodora and her Attendants in the Church of St.Vitale ?
A) the emphasis on illusionistic space
B) three-dimensional modeling of the figures
C) the silhouetting of the figures against a gold background
D) the open doorway to the women's gallery

Accepted Answer

The silhouetting of the figures against a gold background indicates an otherworldly space, as it suggests a spiritual realm rather than a realistic or earthly environment.

Question 4

Architects of the Cathedral of St.Mark in Venice relied on a Greek-cross plan,marking each square unit with a separate
A) altar.
B) apse.
C) chapel.
D) dome.

Accepted Answer

The Greek-cross plan of the Cathedral of St. Mark in Venice relies on a central dome, so the architects would have marked each square unit with a dome rather than an altar, apse, or chapel.

Question 5

The Archangel Michael is an example of carved ivory diptychs that served what function in Christian worship?
A) They were used to send messages to friends and colleagues.
B) They were portable objects of veneration, similar to painted icons.
C) They were used to record names of people who were to be remembered in prayers.
D) They were used as book covers for manuscripts.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Archangel Michael is an example of...

Question 6

During the Late Byzantine period,the territory of the Byzantine Empire decreased to
A) small areas of the Balkans and Greece.
B) Constantinople and Russia.
C) Greece and eastern Europe.
D) Greece and Macedonia.

Accepted Answer

During the Late Byzantine period, the Byzantine Empire was reduced to small areas of the Balkans and Greece due to the Ottoman conquests and other external pressures. The empire had lost many of its territories in the Middle East and North Africa, and by the mid-15th century, it was confined to a few areas in the Balkans and Greece such as Athens, Thessaloniki, and the Peloponnese. Constantinople remained the capital of the empire until its fall to the Ottoman Turks in 1453.

Question 7

Justinian provided the monastery at St.Catherine at Mount Sinai with
A) vaults.
B) minarets.
C) fortifications.
D) a chapel.

Accepted Answer

Justinian provided the monastery at St. Catherine at Mount Sinai with fortifications to protect it against attacks.

Question 8

The use of purple vellum in the production of the Vienna Genesis indicates it was probably made for
A) a bishop.
B) a woman.
C) an imperial patron.
D) public display

Accepted Answer

The use of purple vellum was an expensive choice and points to an imperial patron who would have had the resources to commission such a luxurious book. Bishops would have been limited in their resources, and women were not typically patrons of such lavish projects in this time period. Additionally, the Vienna Genesis is believed to have been made for private use rather than public display, further supporting the idea of it being commissioned by an imperial patron.

Question 9

In both its subject matter and artistic style,the Paris Psalter reflects
A) the continuation of pagan artistic traditions in the Christian art of Constantinople.
B) the Byzantine interest in representing an otherworldly space of the mystical.
C) the preference for two-dimensional surface patterns in the Middle Byzantine period.
D) the spread of Christianity among the masses through the production of manuscripts .

Accepted Answer

The Paris Psalter reflects the continuation of pagan artistic traditions in Christian art, as it incorporates classical elements and styles from ancient Greek and Roman art into its Christian themes, characteristic of the art in Constantinople during that period.

Question 10

What religious theme unites the mosaics in the Church of San Vitale ?
A) the martyrdom of St. Vitalis
B) the marriage sacrament of Justinian and Theodora
C) Christ's role as King of Heaven
D) the celebration of the Eucharist

Accepted Answer

The answer of What religious theme unites the mosaics in...

Question 11

The nobility and suffering of the figures of the Crucifixion were meant to
A) provoke fear in travelers and pilgrims.
B) move monks and visitors to meditation.
C) express knowledge of Greek artistic tradition.
D) emphasize the power of the royal patron.

Accepted Answer

The figures of the Crucifixion were meant to move monks and visitors to meditation, as they were designed to depict the nobility and suffering of the figures and evoke a sense of empathy and spiritual contemplation.

Question 12

Which description of the image of the Lamentation with Standing Monastic Saints Below at Nerezi reflects art under the Komnenians?
A) short, squatty figures
B) aloof and emotionless quality
C) flat, two-dimensionality
D) painterly spontaneity

Accepted Answer

Painterly spontaneity was a characteristic of art under the Komnenians.

Question 13

The inscription accompanying the image of the Virgin and Child in the Apse of Hagia Sophia credited emperors with
A) reviving the use of images.
B) being great patrons of the arts.
C) saving the city from its enemies.
D) following religious decrees.

Accepted Answer

The inscription accompanying the image of the Virgin and Child in the Apse of Hagia Sophia credits the emperors with reviving the use of images, marking the end of the period of Byzantine iconoclasm.

Question 14

Which medium,which the poet and philosopher Theodore Metochites was responsible for,cover(s)every inch of the funerary chapel at the church of the monastery of Christ in Chora?
A) mosaics
B) frescoes
C) tapestries
D) stonework

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which medium,which the poet and philosopher Theodore...

Question 15

Before the iconoclasm of the eighth century,icons were accepted as
A) illustrations of key biblical events.
B) intermediaries between worshipers and holy figures.
C) didactic images that reinforced Christian moral values.
D) images to be worshiped in churches and private settings.

Accepted Answer

Before the iconoclasm of the eighth century, icons were primarily seen as intermediaries between worshipers and holy figures, allowing for a connection between the physical world and the spiritual realm. They were not meant to be worshipped themselves, but rather served as aids to devotion and contemplation. While they did depict key biblical events and reinforce Christian moral values, their primary function was as a means of communication between the worshipper and the divine.

Question 16

The extensive use of marble,colored glass,and gold mosaics to decorate the interior of the Church of San Vitale had what effect on the structure?
A) It served to reinforce the underlying supports.
B) It made the structure appear to dissolve into shimmering light and color.
C) It called attention to the architectural complexity seen throughout the building.
D) It disguised structural irregularities that were originally visible inside the church.

Accepted Answer

The use of marble, colored glass, and gold mosaics created a luminous effect, making the structure appear to dissolve into shimmering light and color, which was a deliberate intention of the artists and architects to create a transcendent atmosphere.

Question 17

Which notion was emphasized in The Transfiguration of Christ in the apse at St.Catherine?
A) theophany
B) parakklesion
C) anastasis
D) symbolism

Accepted Answer

The Transfiguration of Christ is a famous depiction of a theophany, which is a divine manifestation or appearance of God. This artwork emphasizes the manifestation and transformation of Christ into a more divine, supernatural form, further emphasizing the theophany.

Question 18

Which refers to an intensified interest in the styles and themes of Classical art during the Middle Byzantine period?
A) Chora Revival
B) Palaeologue Renaissance
C) Macedonian Renaissance
D) Venetian Period

Accepted Answer

The term "Macedonian Renaissance" refers to the Middle Byzantine period in which there was an increased interest in the classical styles and themes of art.

Question 19

Near the end of the first century,what replaced the scroll as the primary form of recording texts?
A) codex
B) manuscript
C) miniature
D) vellum

Accepted Answer

The codex replaced the scroll as the primary form of recording texts near the end of the first century. A codex is a book composed of folded sheets of parchment or paper, bound together on one side, with a cover. This made it more convenient to record and access information, as the pages could be flipped through and referenced quickly.

Question 20

During the Byzantine era,to separate the congregation from the sanctuary,the celebration of the Mass took place behind a(n)
A) ciborium.
B) screen.
C) ambulatory.
D) aisle.

Accepted Answer

During the Byzantine era, to separate the congregation from the sanctuary, a screen was used. This screen was called an iconostasis and it was decorated with icons of saints and Biblical scenes. This tradition is still followed in many Eastern Orthodox churches today.

Quiz 8: Byzantine Art

The monastery church of St.Panteleimon at Nerezi was built under the patronage of

What originated in the third century,when devout Christians retired to the desert?

What pictorial element indicates an otherworldly space in Empress Theodora and her Attendants in the Church of St.Vitale ?

Architects of the Cathedral of St.Mark in Venice relied on a Greek-cross plan,marking each square unit with a separate

The Archangel Michael is an example of carved ivory diptychs that served what function in Christian worship?

During the Late Byzantine period,the territory of the Byzantine Empire decreased to

Justinian provided the monastery at St.Catherine at Mount Sinai with

The use of purple vellum in the production of the Vienna Genesis indicates it was probably made for

In both its subject matter and artistic style,the Paris Psalter reflects

What religious theme unites the mosaics in the Church of San Vitale ?

The nobility and suffering of the figures of the Crucifixion were meant to

Which description of the image of the Lamentation with Standing Monastic Saints Below at Nerezi reflects art under the Komnenians?

The inscription accompanying the image of the Virgin and Child in the Apse of Hagia Sophia credited emperors with

Which medium,which the poet and philosopher Theodore Metochites was responsible for,cover(s) every inch of the funerary chapel at the church of the monastery of Christ in Chora?

Before the iconoclasm of the eighth century,icons were accepted as

The extensive use of marble,colored glass,and gold mosaics to decorate the interior of the Church of San Vitale had what effect on the structure?

Which notion was emphasized in The Transfiguration of Christ in the apse at St.Catherine?

Which refers to an intensified interest in the styles and themes of Classical art during the Middle Byzantine period?

Near the end of the first century,what replaced the scroll as the primary form of recording texts?

During the Byzantine era,to separate the congregation from the sanctuary,the celebration of the Mass took place behind a(n)