Chapters 7-12 Essay Questions
You must write at least 400, but no more than 500 words for each essay.
1. What were the two opposing opinions during the Byzantine iconoclastic controversy, briefly discuss the history of both sides and what each side wanted to do. How did this controversy affect religion, society, and art during this period (give at least two examples of each of these)?
2. Asian art combines material splendor and philosophical depth with an affinity for giving visual form to the spirituality of the natural world. Choose two pieces of art/architecture from two different countries that illustrate these qualities. Be sure to list names, titles, artist/architect, patron, country, and purpose of the art/architecture you chose. Discuss how they use/exploit each quality and whether or not you think the creation was a successful blend.
3. Both Jews and Christians believe in a single god and seek to conform their lives and their societies to the will of that god as revealed and recorded in sacred scripture. And they have expressed their aspirations and core beliefs in pictures as well as words. Compare and contrast these two images. Discuss where they were found and the importance of the location. Find at least two similarities and two differences. Also, make sure to include a brief explanation of the need for these images in Jewish and Early Christian art respectively.
4. Depictions of the Virgin Mary holding Jesus represent a continuing theme in the history of European Christian art, developed early on, and even continuing to this day. Describe the relationship between mother and son in each. Characterize the difference in artistic style. How
does the choice of medium contribute to the distinction between them?