6/8 Homework

All are true regarding Courbet's The Stone Breakers EXCEPT:

• It depicts two men in tattered clothing engaged in hard labor but done in a manner that dignifies the subjects

• The artist turned away from wealthy upbringing & embraced a Bohemian lifestyle

• symbolism of old man and young boy = start & end of difficult life of French peasants 

• It questioned the role photography played in the artistic world

Answer explanation

Remember this piece is depicting "Realism" where it shows the working class people.

1850: OIL ON CANVAS not photography!!!

4. Which artistic movement is associated with "The Stone Breakers"?

• Baroque

• Impressionism

• Realism

• Cubism

In Thomas Cole's painting "The Oxbow," the artist primarily depicts:

• An agricultural landscape

• A bustling cityscape

• A coastal seascape

• A river meander

Answer explanation

In "The Oxbow," Thomas Cole primarily depicts a river meander. The painting shows a bend in the Connecticut River, commonly known as the Oxbow, surrounded by lush green landscape and a stormy sky. The main focus of the composition is the curving river, which creates a sense of movement and draws the viewer's attention.

Which artistic movement is associated with Thomas Cole's painting "The Oxbow"?

• Impressionism

• Romanticism

• Cubism

• Realism

Answer explanation

Romanticism emphasized emotions, imagination, and the sublime in nature.

In "The Oxbow," Cole captures the grandeur and awe-inspiring power of nature through the dramatic landscape, stormy sky, and the vastness of the wilderness.

What is the significance of the human presence in "The Oxbow"?

• The figures represent the harmony between humans and nature.

• The figures symbolize the industrialization of the landscape.

• The figures highlight the isolation and insignificance of humanity.

• The figures are a representation of Native American culture.

Answer explanation

In "The Oxbow," the human presence is depicted in the lower left corner of the painting. The figures appear small and insignificant compared to the grandeur of the landscape.

Their placement and size suggest that humanity is dwarfed by the power of nature. This highlights the Romantic notion of the sublime, emphasizing the insignificance of human beings in the face of the natural world.

Which of the following themes is NOT represented in "The Oxbow"?

• Manifest Destiny

• Wilderness preservation

• American landscape

• Social realism

Answer explanation

"The Oxbow" does not represent the theme of social realism. Social realism typically focuses on social issues and the plight of the working class. In contrast, Thomas Cole's painting emphasizes the American landscape and the sublime beauty of nature. It does not directly address social or political concerns.

Which art movement does "The Slave Ship" belong to?

• Impressionism

• Cubism

• Romanticism

• Realism

Answer explanation

Romanticism often focused on intense emotions, the sublime, and the exploration of nature's power. Turner's painting captures these elements through its vivid depiction of a dramatic and tumultuous seascape

What historical event does "The Slave Ship" depict?

• The French Revolution

• The American Civil War

• The Atlantic slave trade

• The Industrial Revolution

What is the main focal point in "The Slave Ship"?

• The ship's sails

• The enslaved Africans

• The stormy sea

• The setting sun

Answer explanation

The main focal point of "The Slave Ship" is the enslaved Africans depicted in the painting. Turner portrays their struggle and suffering through the swirling waves, the powerful light, and the desperate figures seen throughout the composition. This emphasis on the enslaved Africans highlights the injustice and brutality of the slave trade.

What artistic technique does Turner use to create a sense of movement in the painting?

• Pointillism

• Tenebrism

• Sfumato

• Chiaroscuro

Answer explanation

Chiaroscuro: The use of contrasting light and dark areas to give depth and volume to the subjects.

In the painting, the intense contrast between the bright light and the dark shadows accentuates the chaotic waves and emphasizes the turbulent atmosphere.