Final Exam Possible Questions

There will be 3 questions on the final exam. While I encourage you to study in groups leading up to the announcement of the questions on the exam on April 23, you should answer the questions after the studying period on your own, in your own words. You will be asked to write a statement to the effect on the cover page of the responses you hand in. The responses are due, typed and double-spaced, April 28 by 11:15am. Late papers are unacceptable.

1. Argue for or against the following statement, using at least 6 specific art historical examples and demonstrating an understanding of the relation to historical ideas:

The differences between color and design camps, defenders of Rubens and Poussin’s work respectively, set into play a battle of sorts for dominance in painting – a battle design eventually won.

600 words.

2. Argue for or against the following statement, using at least 4 specific art historical examples and demonstrating an understanding of the relation to historical ideas:

Political and social statements made in art began in the 19^th century, since the artists were in touch with the class struggles of the time.

500 words.

3. Discuss the development of landscape as subject matter in the history of art. Did its importance increase from the art in the Renaissance to the art of the 19^th century? How did its fluctuating importance reflect the world views of each historical period? Give at least 5 examples of artworks from at least 5 different chapters in Janson’s 7^th ed., vol. 2. 600 words.

4. Why does Realism and Impressionism signal the arrival of Modernism in art? What are the characteristics of Modernism? How do these movements in art mark a shift from the art of the 17^th and 18^th centuries? How does art in the 20^th century seem influenced by the art of this period? Give at least 5 examples of artworks. 500 words.

5. How do world views manifest in art? Does it cause an artist to depict a certain subject in certain way? Does it predicate the statements made in artworks? When do artworks have a role in changing the world view? In what instances do they try to do so and fail? Finally, how do you think our 2009 worldview affects the way this Janson’s explanation of art history is written? Give at least 4 examples of artworks in at least 600 words.

6. Discuss how portraiture can be a barometer of the role of an individual in society. Does the commissioning party or the portraitist ever challenge conventional depictions of the individual, women, people of non-European descent? Give at least 4 examples of artworks in 500 words.

7. In what instances has art and architecture been used as propaganda? How was it used, for instance, in building civic and national identities of Venice, London, Paris, England, USA, France, Spain, the Vatican or Germany? Who were the players in making art have a role in this way? Compare and contrast specific examples of artworks and people in at least one city and two countries. 600 words.