Question

A town watchman is depicted with one hand beside his mouth shouting a message. He has a cane under his arm and a lantern in his other hand. In this detailed pencil and ink line drawing, brown and white wash is used to show shadows and highlights in the man’s clothing, face, and lantern; the watchman appears three-dimensional.
A Baltimore Watchman
by Alfred Jacob Miller
The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore

A viewer studies this work of art by American artist Alfred Jacob Miller. What is the best example of an unbiased response?
A. “What a sloppy use of line in this painting.”
B. “This is the best use of shading I’ve ever seen.”
C. “What a boring choice of subject.”
D. “This artist used shading to depict the man’s form.”

Answer 1

D. “This artist used shading to depict the man’s form.”

Answer 2

An art historian notices that two neighboring cultures both use a similar style when sculpting horses. This is likely an example of
A. shared interests in the equine form.
B. Baroque style.
C. cultural exchange.
D. Orientalizing style.

Answer 3

C. cultural exchange.

Answer 4

An artist loved to work with smooth, flowing paint that had vibrant color. Knowing that she had many months to finish a commission, her best choice for a material would be:
A. tempera paint
B. oil paint
C. acrylic paint
D. watercolor

Answer 5

B. oil paint

Answer 6

Which is the best definition of the term contemplate?
A. to quickly complete a task in less than an hour
B. to form an opinion about something without seeing it
C. to use a new style of art developed in the last decade
D. to consider thoughtfully over an extended period of time

Answer 7

D. to consider thoughtfully over an extended period of time.

Answer 8

The Orientalizing period was characterized by
A. Greeks borrowing images from Near East cultures.
B. artwork with lots of shading and perspective.
C. Near East cultures borrowing images from Greek art.
D. artwork with many reds and golds.

Answer 9

A. Greeks borrowing images from Near East cultures.

Answer 10

Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture is on a list for consideration as a World Heritage Site because
A. Wright usually designed buildings for religious reasons.
B. Wright pioneered a style of architecture that was in tune with nature.
C. Wright made more money than any architect during his time.
D. Wright preferred to design structures for the rich and famous.

Answer 11

B. Wright pioneered a style of architecture that was in tune with nature.

Answer 12

World Heritage Sites are recognized because they are examples of
A. unique culture or religious tradition.
B. cultural heritage, natural heritage, and scholastic value.
C. controversial architecture.
D. scholastic innovation or academic tradition.

Answer 13

B. cultural heritage, natural heritage, and scholastic value.

Answer 14

The right of artists to use speech, art, or other means to communicate opinions without restraint is best described as
A. an American value.
B. Expressionism.
C. the free market.
D. freedom of speech.

Answer 15

D. freedom of speech.

Answer 16

A visitor walks into an art show, quickly views the work, and is gone within five minutes. The visitor is an example of
A. a passive observer.
B. an active observer.
C. a responsive viewer.
D. an unresponsive viewer.

Answer 17

A. a passive observer.

Answer 18

A visitor walks into an art show and spends time sketching a few pieces. When she is done, she walks over to the exhibiting artist and begins to ask questions. She is an example of
A. a passive observer.
B. an active observer.
C. a responsive viewer.
D. an unresponsive viewer.

Answer 19

B. an active observer.

Answer 20

Which comment is the best example of an unbiased opinion?
A. “I will visit the contemporary art show because I love abstract art.”
B. “This artist’s work is unprofessional!”
C. “I can only look at artwork from the Renaissance.”
D. “This artist pays close attention to capturing the shadows on the subject’s face.”

Answer 21

D. “This artist pays close attention to capturing the shadows on the subject’s face.”

Answer 22

Question 1 of 3
Blue mountains rise in the distance while a small cottage sits amidst rocks and trees.

Blue and Green Landscape
by Shi Jui
The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore

The arrangement of the objects in this Chinese painting reflect Taoist and Buddhist principles and philosophies. Which of these principles or philosophies is best demonstrated by the placement of the tall cliffs in the background and a small building with trees in the foreground?
A. simplicity
B. perseverance
C. harmony
D. balance

Answer 23

D. balance

Answer 24

Chinese calligraphy is more than just a picture using symbols. What is the Chinese name for the source of life, or breath, that is expressed through the artist’s brush?
A. ch’i
B. xue
C. tao
D. huo

Answer 25

A. ch’i

Answer 26

Question 3 of 3
A man sits within a small pavilion that is perched amidst trees near a towering cliff.

Mountain Landscape with Scholar in a Pavilion and Two Figures Approaching
by Sheng Mou
The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore

This Chinese painting shows a man seated in a pavilion. What Taoist and Buddhist philosophy is the artist communicating by placing the man in this wilderness location?
A. Keep a balanced perspective on life
B. Live a peaceful, happy life.
C. Keep harmony between man and nature.
D. Live a creative live.

Answer 27

C. Keep harmony between man and nature.