Glossary
AP Art History CED
The College Board's Course and Exam Description, which outlines the key sources of evidence, learning objectives, and content for the AP Art History curriculum.
Example:
To effectively prepare for the exam, students should consult the AP Art History CED to understand the specific content and skills required.
Archaeological Excavations
The systematic digging and recovery of artifacts and structures from historical sites to uncover and study past cultures.
Example:
Archaeological excavations at Pompeii revealed remarkably preserved frescoes and mosaics, offering a direct glimpse into Roman daily life and art.
Bias in European Colonial Records
The inherent prejudice or inaccuracy present in written sources from European conquerors due to their perspectives, misunderstandings, or mistreatment of native populations.
Example:
Descriptions of Indigenous religious practices in early European colonial records often misrepresent their complexity due to cultural misunderstandings and a desire to justify conquest.
Cross-Cultural Connections
The practice of identifying and analyzing similarities and influences between the art and cultural practices of different regions or groups, such as Indigenous and African art.
Example:
Noticing the shared emphasis on spiritual beliefs and ancestor veneration in both West African masks and Pacific Northwest Coast totems exemplifies making cross-cultural connections.
Ethnographic Analogy
A method in archaeology and art history that compares archaeological remains with current traditional practices, myths, and religious beliefs to understand past artistic materials, processes, and iconography.
Example:
Researchers might use ethnographic analogy by observing contemporary Pueblo potters to infer techniques used by ancient Ancestral Puebloan artists.
Ethnographic Information
Cultural information derived from existing societies, used to draw comparisons and gain insights into past cultures.
Example:
Studying the weaving patterns of modern Navajo textiles provides valuable ethnographic information that can help interpret ancient Southwestern textiles.
Ethnohistoric Documents
Written accounts from the past, often created by non-native observers, that provide historical and cultural information about indigenous populations.
Example:
Early Spanish chronicles serve as ethnohistoric documents that describe Aztec rituals, though they must be read with an awareness of potential biases.
Hieroglyphs
A system of writing that uses pictorial characters or symbols, commonly found in ancient Mesoamerican cultures like the Maya and Mexica, providing insights into their history and artistic elements.
Example:
The intricate carvings on Mayan stelae often feature hieroglyphs that narrate the deeds of rulers and significant historical events.
Methods of Investigation
The various approaches and sources used by art historians to study, interpret, and understand art, including archaeological, textual, and ethnographic techniques.
Example:
When analyzing a Moche ceramic vessel, art historians employ diverse methods of investigation, from examining its archaeological context to interpreting its iconography.
Modern Artists’ Accounts and Interviews
Insights gained from contemporary artists, often indigenous, about their creative processes, cultural traditions, and interpretations of historical art forms.
Example:
An interview with a contemporary Haida carver can provide valuable modern artists’ accounts and interviews into the enduring significance of totem poles.
Multi-Disciplinary Collaboration
The practice of integrating insights from various academic fields, such as astronomy, botany, and zoology, to gain a comprehensive understanding of art and its context.
Example:
Understanding the precise alignment of Stonehenge requires multi-disciplinary collaboration with astronomers to interpret its celestial significance.
Museum Records
Data and information associated with art and artifacts held in museum collections, including provenance, conservation history, and descriptive details.
Example:
Consulting museum records for a specific ancient Egyptian sculpture can reveal its acquisition history and previous scholarly interpretations.
Scholastic Sources
Written accounts and archaeological sites that serve as primary evidence for art historical investigation.
Example:
When studying ancient Roman architecture, art historians often analyze both surviving structures and scholastic sources like texts by Vitruvius.
Tribal History
Oral and written historical accounts preserved and transmitted by indigenous tribes themselves, offering an internal perspective on their past and culture.
Example:
Understanding the symbolism in a Kwakwaka'wakw mask is greatly enhanced by consulting the tribal history passed down through generations.