Final Short answer questions

Question 1

Motifs borrowed by the early Christians from the Romans

Answer 1

orb, palm branch, saints depicted with/as animals the same way pagan gods were

Question 2

Why was the book developed during the early Christian period?

Answer 2

It was easier to carry and use- Bible (New Testament) wasn’t read/ meant to be read front to back the same way the Old Testament was (chronologically)

Question 3

What is the difference between a basilica and a central plan church?

Answer 3

A basilica is rectangular and is entered from one end with an apse at the other end. A Central plan church is usually octagonal and has equal dimensions around the center.

Question 4

Parts of an early Christian church

Answer 4

clerestory, nave, apse, aisle, transept, narthex, atrium, baptistry

Question 5

Definition of an icon

Answer 5

portrait or image. In Byzantine churches, a panel w/ a painting of sacred personages that are objects of veneration

Question 6

Characteristics of Carolingian art

Answer 6

Roman influences, more artistic freedom allowed, merged illusionism of classical painting and northern linear tradition, energetic figures, revived equestrian portraits from Roman times, strict modular plans in their buildings, youthful Jesus, twin-tower western facade for basilicas

Question 7

3 Parts of a Mosque

Answer 7

Mihrab, Minbar, Hypostyle

Question 8

What is a mihrab?

Answer 8

niche in the qibla wall

Question 9

What is a qibla wall?

Answer 9

Wall in a mosque that faces Mecca

Question 10

What is a minbar?

Answer 10

raised platform in a mosque where leader of collective worship stands

Question 11

What is a hypostyle?

Answer 11

Covered worship hall in a mosque

Question 12

Parts of a Romanesque church:

Answer 12

cross shaped, walkway all around, side aisles, transept, chapel for different saints, ambulatory, radiating chapels, vaulted ceilings, barrel vaults, huge pillars, heavy masonry

Question 13

Characteristics of Romanesque sculpture

Answer 13

elongated figures, linear style

Question 14

What is a relic?

Answer 14

body parts, clothing, or objects associated with a holy figure

Question 15

Parts of Romanesque portal:

Answer 15

Tympanum, voussoirs, lintel, trumeau, jambs

Question 16

What is a tympanum?

Answer 16

prominent semi-circular lunette above the doorway proper, comparable in importance to triangular pediment in Greco-Roman temples

Question 17

What are voussoirs?

Answer 17

wedge shaped blocks that together form the archivolts of the arch forming the tympanum

Question 18

What is a lintel?

Answer 18

horizontal beam above the doorway

Question 19

What is a trumeau?

Answer 19

center post supporting the lintel in the middle of the doorway

Question 20

What are jambs?

Answer 20

the side posts of the doorway

Question 21

Characteristics of Gothic architecture

Answer 21

pointed arches, round windows, ribs, nothing hidden structurally, “transparent” or “skeletal”, rose windows, lancet windows, very tall, groin vaults, flying buttresses, stained glass windows, tall thin masonry

Question 22

Characteristics of Giotto’s style

Answer 22

blue background, uses landscape/architecture as compositional device, focus not on center, stagelike

Question 23

Purpose of stained glass windows in Gothic Cathedral

Answer 23

don’t cover walls, replace them; transmit light; beauty

Question 24

What is a pendentive?

Answer 24

Concave, triangular section of a hemisphere, four of which provide the transition from a square area to the circular base of a covering dome. Although pendentives appear to be hanging from the dome, they in fact support it.