Transcript
The discovery of a well-preserved synagogue at Dura-Europos in the early 20th century disproved what long held assumption?
1. (a) Jewish art did not include figurative images
2. (b) Jewish ritual was rarely performed outside Jerusalem
3. (c) Jewish art was heavily influenced by Roman tradition
4. (d) Liturgical objects were made of precious materials
Davies, et. al., Janson’s History of Art: The Western Tradition, Eighth Edition , ©2011, Education
1. Answer: 1.(a.) See pages 237-240. Beliefs that Jewish art had no figurative tradition derives from the biblical proscription against making graven images. While representations of God do not exist in Jewish contexts, the narrative scenes found at Dura-Europos demonstrate that representational art was used to illustrate stories and ideas important to Judaism.
Davies, et. al., Janson’s History of Art: The Western Tradition, Eighth Edition , ©2011, Education
2. Borrowed from pagan sources, the image of the shepherd with his sheep appears frequently in Early Christian art as a symbol of what?
(a) Adam
(b) Constantine
(c) Jesus Christ
(d) God
Davies, et. al., Janson’s History of Art: The Western Tradition, Eighth Edition , ©2011, Education
2. Answer: 3.(c). See pages 240-242. In accordance with the Second Commandment’s prohibition of image making, the earliest Christian art relied on symbols to represent Jesus Christ. Biblical accounts describe Christ as the Good Shepherd, concerned for the well-being of his flock and willing to sacrifice himself for the salvation of his followers. The shepherd was a powerful metaphor because it drew on pagan images of charity, in the form of men carrying sacrificial animals, and it related to passages from the Hebrew Bible, which described God’s role as a loving protector.
Davies, et. al., Janson’s History of Art: The Western Tradition, Eighth Edition , ©2011, Education
3. Which Roman structure did NOT influence the architecture of Early Christian churches?
1. (a) the triumphal arch
2. (b) the basilica
3. (c) the mausoleum
4. (d) the insula
Davies, et. al., Janson’s History of Art: The Western Tradition, Eighth Edition , ©2011, Education
3. Answer: 4.(d.) See pages 245-247. Although the Roman basilica plan met the Christians’ need to house large numbers of people, it was redesigned to emphasize the altar, which was placed at the end of a long nave in front of the apse. A triumphal arch separated these two interior spaces and framed the altar and apse. The central plan mausoleum was also adapted for Christian use, initially for functions related to funeral rituals and burial.
Davies, et. al., Janson’s History of Art: The Western Tradition, Eighth Edition , ©2011, Education
4. What artistic technique was used to create Emperor Justinian and His Attendants?
1. (a) encaustic
2. (b) mosaic
3. (c) tempera painting
4. (d) repoussé
Davies, et. al., Janson’s History of Art: The Western Tradition, Eighth Edition , ©2011, Education
4. Answer: 2. (b). See pages 248-249; 254-257. In contrast to Roman mosaics, which were made of small bits of colored marble, Byzantine mosaic artists used glass tesserae to decorate wall surfaces. This provided rich intense colors that reflected light, thus creating a glittering effect in the candlelit interiors of churches that evoked a spiritual quality.
Davies, et. al., Janson’s History of Art: The Western Tradition, Eighth Edition , ©2011, Education
5. Why is this 6th century icon from the Monastery of St. Catherine in Egypt of particular importance?
1. (a) It was made in Egypt.
2. (b) Christ is shown as a child.
3. (c) It survived the Iconoclasm.
4. (d) It includes multiple figures.
Davies, et. al., Janson’s History of Art: The Western Tradition, Eighth Edition , ©2011, Education
5. Answer: 3. (c.) See pages 263-265. After the Byzantine Emperor issued a edict prohibiting icons in 726, a fierce debate arose over interpretation of the biblical ban on the making of graven images and the use of icons. The result was that many existing icons were destroyed during the 8th century. Many of the surviving examples come from the monastery of St. Catherine at Mount Sinai in Egypt, including the two (Figs. 8-35 and 8- 36) shown in the text.
