Reading Practice 2 - Renaissance

Renaissance art reflected

• humanist concerns
• impressionism
• Gothic
• classical antiquity, the potential of human achievement

Renaissance artists often portrayed (Select ALL that apply)

• religious figures and set them against Greek or Roman backgrounds
• portraits of well-known figures
• scenes from Greek and Roman mythology
• historical events
• religious and mythological subjects

Artists of the Renaissance discovered what technique?

What made Renaissance paintings more realistic? (select ALL that apply)

• artistic and scientific advancements like linear and atmospheric perspective
• shading of lights and darks
• artists studied anatomy and drew from live models
• the type of paint that they used

How does the textbook describe Renaissance architecture?

• a revival of ancient Greek and Roman classical design principles, emphasizing symmetry, proportion, geometry, and harmony
• rejection of Gothic style as it was disorderly; instead they adopted columns, arches, and domes used by the ancients
• a combination of Gothic and ancient design principles, using tall spires and domes
• it focused on tall, pointed arches and stained glass windows, reaching upward toward heaven

What does the passage suggest about Leonardo da Vinci?

• He combined artistic talent with scientific curiosity and invention.
• He was interested only in painting portraits of wealthy nobles.
• His artwork was limited to religious subjects like The Last Supper.
• He focused on music and architecture rather than painting.

Why has Michelangelo’s dome design for St. Peter’s Cathedral been considered significant?

• It was the first dome built entirely out of marble.
• It became a model for later structures, including the U.S. Capitol.
• It was the only work Michelangelo lived to see completed.
• It replaced the original dome of the Sistine Chapel.

What makes Raphael’s "School of Athens" a good example of Renaissance art?

• It blends classical figures with Renaissance artists, showing harmony between past and present.
• masterful use of linear perspective to create a realistic three-dimensional space
• It focuses only on Christian themes and avoids classical influence
• It portrays only Arab philosophers like Averroës.

According to Castiglione, what is one quality of the ideal Renaissance man?

• He is athletic but not overactive.
• He is arrogant.
• He is a gambler.
• He avoids literature and history.

What did Machiavelli stress in "The Prince"?

• The end justifies the means.
• Rulers should always act kindly.
• Leadership should be based on high ideals.
• Princes should avoid studying Roman history.