Chapter 2 – Developing Visual Literacy Multiple Choice Questions 1. In The Treason of Images, the artist combines awareness, creativity, and communication by encouraging the viewer to look closely at an object. The artist is: a) Lorna Simpson. b) Duane Michaels. c) René Magritte. d) John Ahearn. Answer: c 2. Jan van Eyck’s Giovanni Arnolfini and His Wife Giovanna Cenami depicts many objects that have symbolic meaning. The use or study of these symbols is called: a) content. b) iconography. c) form. d) aesthetics. Answer: b 3. While in prison, Howling Wolf made many drawings called a) scraffitti. b) ledger drawings. c) office drawings. d) calculated drawings. Answer: b 4. Bierstadt’s picturesque view of the Rocky Mountains combines a representation of an American vista with his: a) European experience. b) World War I experience. c) Polynesian heritage. d) Alaskan expeditions. Answer: a 5. Beatriz Milhazes’ Carambola is based on ___________. a) the shapes, forms, and bright colors of Brazilian culture b) the art of the ancient Maya culture c) the realistic influences of traditional Latin art d) a calm, peaceful interpretation of color Answer: a 6. When a work of art such as Kasimir Malevich’s Suprematist Painting, Black Rectangle, Blue Triangle (p. 29) shows no reference to the natural world of images, it is usually called: a) stylized. b) simplistic. c) communistic. d) nonrepresentational. Answer: d 7. The stained-glass window from Chartres Cathedral is an excellent example of the use of a) abstract art. b) iconography. c) non-objective art. d) realism. Answer: b 8. Which of these statements best defines visual literacy? a) the ability to construct an artificial 3-d environment b) the ability to recognize, understand, and communicate the meaning of visual images c) the ability to envision a theoretical concept d) the ability to write about art Answer: b 9. Rene Magritte’s The Treason of Images asks us to consider __________. a) that images and words refer to things that we see, but are not the things themselves b) that there is a direct, one-to-one relationship between objects and the words we use to name them c) that we are often fooled by what we see, à la “trompe l’oeil” paintings d) that images and words not only refer to things that we see, but are also the things themselves Answer: a 10. The Triumphal Entry page from the Shahnamah manuscript, a sacred text, exemplifies the preference of word over image in a) Chinese art. b) Japanese art. c) Korean art. d) Islamic art. Answer: d 11. The symbolic hand gestures that refer to specific states of mind or events in the life of Buddha are called a) bismillah. b) handies. c) mudra. d) calliform. Answer: c 12. The terms naturalistic or realistic art are sometimes used to describe a) representational art. b) abstract art. c) nonrepresentational art. d) folk art. Answer: a 13. Lorna Simpson’s series, The Park, includes both images and printed words. The text contributes to the prints in a way that makes the viewer more active in the work. What does the viewer become? a) An artist b) The subject of the work c) The form of the work d) A voyeur Answer: d 14. Why are images of humans traditionally banned in Islamic art? a) Humans are thought to be a symbol of filth. b) Human images are not banned in Islamic art. c) Depicting a human is thought to be competing with the “creator.” d) Calligraphy is more challenging. Answer: c 15. In a work of art, “content” refers to a) what the work expresses or means. b) the culture that produced it. c) its style. d) the way it looks. Answer: a 16. What kind of reading does Kenneth Clark illustrate in his assessment that an ancient Greek statue represents a “higher state of civilization” than a West African mask? a) aesthetic b) ethnocentric c) Afrocentric d) American Answer: b 17. What is the chief form of Islamic art? a) abstractions of animals b) figurative representation c) calligraphy d) conceptual art Answer: c 18. What is the subject matter of Shirin Neshat’s Rebellious Silence? a) the prominent place of women within every aspect of Iranian culture b) it is difficult to say from a Western perspective, because of lack of understanding of language and culture, but it is probably feminist in nature c) it reflects the artist’s comfort with the roles of women in Iranian society d) it depicts a Muslim woman in a black chador, a rifle dividing, and Farsi text inscribed over her face Answer: d 19. Naturalism is a brand of representation in which the artist a) abstracts what he/she is depicting, to varying degrees. b) retains realistic elements but presents the world from a personal or subjective point of view. c) paints exactly, faithfully what she sees. d) works with ideas instead of images, creating purely non-objective artwork. Answer: b 20. When works of art like Kasimir Malevich’s Suprematist painting, Black Rectangle, Blue Triangle, show no reference to the concrete world, it is usually called a) communistic. b) abstract. c) non-objective. d) stylized. Answer: c 21. What is the content of Albert Bierstadt’s Rocky Mountains? a) It is a sublime representation of the mountain range that can be seen to encompass the spirit and character of the American West b) It is an imaginative interpretation of the landscape of the American East c) It combines a representational depiction of a mountain meadow with a lake, waterfall, and Native American encampment with a barely disguised rendering of the Matterhorn in the distance d) It is a realistic depiction of the mountain range without embellishment or artistic license. Answer: a 22. The representation of what subject has consistently aroused controversy throughout the history of the Western world? a) the human figure b) the Christian god c) political leaders d) Roman ideals Answer: b Short Answer and Essay Questions 23. What is the relationship between form and content? Answer: Form and content are interdependent elements in art, where form refers to the physical aspects such as color, shape, and composition, while content refers to the ideas, emotions, or messages conveyed by the artwork. The relationship between form and content is essential in determining how effectively an artwork communicates its intended meaning or purpose. 24. What subject matter is the artist Lorna Simpson most noted for? Answer: Lorna Simpson is most noted for exploring themes of race, gender, identity, and memory in her artwork. She often incorporates photography and text to examine issues related to these subjects, particularly within the context of African American experiences. 25. Define subject matter. Answer: Subject matter refers to the specific theme, topic, or content depicted in an artwork. It encompasses the objects, people, events, or ideas that the artist chooses to portray and explore within their work. 26. What is the content of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s painting Charles the First? Answer: Jean-Michel Basquiat's painting "Charles the First" explores themes of power, authority, and identity. The content of the painting references historical figures and symbols, including a depiction of the English king Charles I, often interpreted as a commentary on societal structures and hierarchies. 27. What term is used when someone imposes his or her own meanings and prejudices onto the art of another culture? Answer: The term used when someone imposes his or her own meanings and prejudices onto the art of another culture is "cultural appropriation." This concept involves the adoption or use of elements from one culture by individuals or groups who may not fully understand or respect the cultural significance, often resulting in misinterpretation or disrespect. 28. What is the content of Malevich’s painting, Black Rectangle, Blue Triangle? Answer: The content of Malevich's painting "Black Rectangle, Blue Triangle" is primarily abstract and symbolic. Malevich, a pioneer of the Suprematist movement, aimed to convey a sense of pure artistic expression devoid of representational or narrative elements. The black rectangle and blue triangle, arranged geometrically on the canvas, symbolize fundamental concepts of form, color, and spatial relationships, rather than representing specific objects or subjects. 29. In Jan van Eyck’s Arnolfini “wedding” portrait, the dog symbolizes what? Answer: In Jan van Eyck's Arnolfini "wedding" portrait, the dog symbolizes fidelity and loyalty. The inclusion of the dog in the painting was a common symbol in Renaissance art, representing faithfulness and companionship within marriage. 30. The habitual or expected ways (of seeing, for instance) of a given culture are known as what? Answer: The habitual or expected ways of seeing within a given culture are known as "cultural norms" or "cultural conventions." These norms influence perceptions, behaviors, and interpretations within a particular cultural context. 31. What is the chief form of art in Islamic cultures? Answer: The chief form of art in Islamic cultures is often considered to be calligraphy. Calligraphy, the art of beautiful handwriting, holds significant cultural and religious importance in Islamic art, as it is used to transcribe and decorate sacred texts, including the Quran. 32. Discuss the disadvantages of judging artworks according to our own cultural standards. Answer: Judging artworks solely based on our own cultural standards can lead to misunderstandings, misinterpretations, and ethnocentrism. It may prevent us from appreciating the cultural significance, symbolism, and artistic intentions embedded within the artwork. Additionally, it can reinforce stereotypes and biases, limiting our ability to engage with diverse perspectives and experiences represented in art from different cultures. 33. Using René Magritte’s Treason of Images, discuss how representational paintings can be more abstract than abstract paintings. Answer: René Magritte's painting "Treason of Images" challenges viewers' perceptions of representation and reality. Despite depicting a realistic pipe, the text below states, "This is not a pipe," emphasizing the distinction between the object itself and its representation. This highlights how representational paintings can prompt viewers to question the nature of representation and meaning, engaging them in a philosophical inquiry that can be more abstract than the formal abstraction found in some abstract paintings. Magritte's work demonstrates that representational art can transcend mere depiction to convey complex concepts and ideas, inviting viewers to explore layers of meaning beyond the surface appearance. 34. Compare and contrast John Taylor’s and Howling Wolf’s Treaty Signing at Medicine Lodge Creek. In your discussion, use the terms form, content, representational, abstract, ledger art, convention, and iconography. Answer: John Taylor's "Treaty Signing at Medicine Lodge Creek" and Howling Wolf's "Treaty Signing at Medicine Lodge Creek" offer contrasting perspectives on the same historical event through different artistic approaches. John Taylor's painting employs a representational style, depicting the scene with a high level of detail and realism. The form of Taylor's painting is naturalistic, with recognizable figures, landscape elements, and historical details. The content of Taylor's painting focuses on the literal representation of the treaty signing ceremony, conveying the historical event as it occurred. In contrast, Howling Wolf's ledger art rendition of the same event utilizes a more abstract and stylized approach. Ledger art, a tradition developed by Plains Native Americans, often features simplified forms and bold lines drawn on ledger paper or other materials. Howling Wolf's depiction may incorporate traditional iconography and symbolic conventions specific to his cultural heritage. The content of Howling Wolf's piece may emphasize different aspects of the treaty signing, reflecting the artist's perspective and cultural context. 35. How is Howling Wolf’s Treaty Signing at Medicine Lodge Creek different from John Taylor’s painting of the same name? Answer: Howling Wolf's "Treaty Signing at Medicine Lodge Creek" differs from John Taylor's painting in several key aspects. Firstly, Howling Wolf's rendition utilizes a ledger art style, characterized by simplified forms and bold lines, whereas Taylor's painting employs a more traditional representational approach with a focus on detail and realism. Secondly, the content of Howling Wolf's piece may emphasize different aspects of the treaty signing event, potentially incorporating traditional iconography and symbolic conventions specific to Plains Native American culture. In contrast, Taylor's painting may prioritize a more literal representation of the historical event, focusing on accuracy and historical detail. Overall, while both artworks depict the same historical event, they offer distinct perspectives and interpretations shaped by the artists' cultural backgrounds, artistic styles, and individual visions. Test Bank for A World of Art Henry M. Sayre 9780205901340, 9780205887576, 9780134082349, 9780134081809, 9780205898879
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