All Flashcards
What is the significance of pendentives in Byzantine architecture?
They support domes on flat walls, enabling the construction of large, centrally-planned churches.
How did the use of calligraphy contribute to Islamic art?
Calligraphy, particularly Kufic, served as a primary form of decoration and conveyed religious messages.
What role did illuminated manuscripts play in Medieval society?
They preserved religious texts, served educational purposes, and functioned as artistic expressions within monasteries.
How did the theme of salvation influence Gothic sculpture?
Gothic sculptures often depicted scenes related to salvation, reflecting the religious values of the time.
How did the invention of linear perspective change painting during the Early Renaissance?
It allowed artists to create a realistic sense of depth on a 2D surface, enhancing the naturalism of their works.
What is the significance of 'vanitas' in Baroque still life paintings?
It serves as a reminder of mortality and the transience of earthly pleasures.
Compare Late Antique basilicas and Gothic cathedrals.
Late Antique basilicas featured simple exteriors and axially-planned layouts, while Gothic cathedrals emphasized verticality, light, and elaborate decoration.
Compare Romanesque and Gothic architecture.
Romanesque architecture used rounded arches and rib vaults, while Gothic architecture employed pointed arches and flying buttresses for greater height and light.
Compare Northern Renaissance and Italian High Renaissance art.
Northern Renaissance focused on detail, realism, and religious symbolism, while Italian High Renaissance emphasized idealized forms, classical themes, and sfumato.
Compare the use of light in Renaissance and Baroque painting.
Renaissance painting used balanced and diffused light, while Baroque painting used dramatic contrasts of light and dark (tenebrism) to create emotional impact.
Compare Byzantine mosaics and Romanesque painting.
Byzantine mosaics used tesserae to create shimmering surfaces, while Romanesque painting used vibrant colors outlined in black with exaggerated features.
How does the basilica design in Late Antique art relate to earlier Roman architecture?
It adapted the Roman basilica, a public building, for Christian worship, retaining the basic layout but modifying it for religious purposes.
How does Byzantine art build upon Late Antique traditions?
It continued using mosaics but developed new techniques like pendentives to support domes and emphasized spiritual, ethereal qualities.
How does Mannerism deviate from the traditions of the High Renaissance?
Mannerism rejected the balance and harmony of the High Renaissance, favoring elongated figures, distorted forms, and artificial colors.
How does Baroque art build upon the Renaissance tradition?
While still valuing realism, it embraced drama, emotion, and movement, often using tenebrism and dynamic compositions.
How does the art of New Spain reflect a blending of traditions?
It combines Spanish Baroque techniques with indigenous motifs and artistic practices, creating a syncretic style that reflects the colonial context.