Attribution Questions in AP Art History

In this AP Art History practice session, Lacy van Reath guides students through an attribution question, which is FRQ number five on the exam. The session covers the structure of the question, focusing on task verbs like attribute, justify, describe, and explain. Students learn to attribute a work to a specific African culture, justify their attribution with visual evidence, explain the function of the work, and discuss how the function influences its form or content. The session concludes with an evaluation of student responses and tips for tackling attribution questions.

What is the main focus of the AP Art History practice session introduced by Lacy van Reath?

• Learning about European art history

• Understanding the attribution question

• Discussing famous artists

• Analyzing modern art techniques

What is the purpose of the attribution question in the AP Art History exam?

• To identify the artist of a work

• To connect an unfamiliar work to a known one

• To describe the materials used in a work

• To compare two different art styles

Which task verb indicates that you need to defend your choice in the attribution question?

• Attribute

• Describe

• Justify

• Explain

What is the first task in the attribution question?

• Correctly attribute the work to a culture

• Identify the artist

• Explain the function of the work

• Describe the visual elements

How should you justify your attribution using visual evidence?

• By listing all visual elements

• By comparing with different cultures

• By describing similarities with known works

• By explaining the historical context

What type of evidence is required to explain the function of the work in tasks 4 and 5?

• Visual evidence

• Contextual evidence

• Historical evidence

• Comparative evidence

What is a common mistake when explaining the function of the work?

• Identifying the artist incorrectly

• Comparing with modern art

• Describing the visual elements

• Using incorrect cultural references

What should you focus on when answering attribution questions?

• Differences between works

• Similarities with known works

• The materials used

• The artist's biography

What is the role of the 'nganga' in activating the power figure?

• To display the sculpture in a museum

• To sell the sculpture

• To activate the power within the figure

• To create the sculpture

What is a key visual characteristic of the power figures discussed?

• Minimalist design

• Sharp objects inserted into the body

• Bright colors

• Smooth surfaces