Isenheim Altarpiece Quiz

What was the primary purpose of the Isenheim Altarpiece in its original setting?

• To commemorate a historical battle

• To serve as a decorative piece in a royal palace

• To act as a focal point for religious ceremonies in a monastery

• To be a centerpiece in a public art gallery

Which disease was associated with the monastery where the Isenheim Altarpiece was located?

• Leprosy

• Ergotism

• Plague

• Tuberculosis

In the crucifixion panel, what is a notable feature of Christ's depiction?

• His body is marked by wounds and lesions

• He is depicted as a child

• He is shown with a serene expression

• He is surrounded by angels

What does the lamb at the feet of John the Baptist symbolize in the crucifixion panel?

• The beginning of a new era

• The arrival of spring

• The sacrifice of Christ for mankind's sins

• Innocence and purity

What is the significance of the Annunciation scene in the altarpiece?

• It portrays the crucifixion of Christ

• It depicts the birth of Christ

• It illustrates the resurrection of Christ

• It shows the angel Gabriel announcing to Mary that she will bear the Christ child

Who is identified as Lucifer in the Choir of Angels scene?

• An angel with a golden halo

• A figure with a peacock symbolizing pride

• A musician playing a harp

• A sculpted figure in the background

What does the Resurrection scene in the altarpiece represent?

• The temptation of Saint Anthony

• The birth of Christ

• The reversal of Adam and Eve's sin and the promise of eternal life

• The crucifixion of Christ

In the Resurrection scene, how is Christ depicted?

• As a shepherd with a flock of sheep

• As a child playing with a rosary

• As a figure obscured by light, symbolizing his ethereal nature

• As a suffering figure on the cross

What is the main theme of the final section depicting Saint Anthony?

• The temptation and testing of faith

• The birth of Christ

• The crucifixion of Christ

• The resurrection of Christ

What is unique about the depiction of demons in the Temptation of Saint Anthony?

• They are all identical in appearance

• They are depicted as beautiful angels

• They are diverse in color, texture, and form

• They are shown as harmless creatures