Project: Cultural Collage — Unit test Answers

The structure is St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. The architect used strong vertical lines in the columns and statues to create a sense of height and grandeur. Horizontal lines across the façade and square provide balance, while the curved lines of the dome and colonnade draw the viewer’s eye toward the center.

The artist has used balance, harmony, variety, proportion, movement, and emphasis. Examples will vary, but may include the following: Balance is created by a vertical line of symmetry that divides through the eagle and the squares and the careful use of colors which flow from one to another. Harmony is created by the use of similar hues, and the similar square shapes on the top half, and the large square at the bottom that incorporates the eagle figure. Proportion is created by the relative size of each form in the painting, in which no part seems under or over sized. Movement is created by the vertical lines of the squares and the paint drips that lead down to the eagle at the bottom, who also has his wings down-cast diagonally to the bottom corners of the painting. The movement encourages the eye to move from the top of the painting, down to the eagle, and finally to dissipate along the wings.

Freeform shapes are irregular, organic, and not defined by exact measurements, while geometric shapes have precise mathematical forms such as triangles, rectangles, and straight lines. In Modern Painting with Clef, Liechtenstein uses freeform shapes in the wavy black lines near the top and the curved red-and-yellow form on the left. He uses geometric shapes in the repeated angular zigzags, triangles, rectangles, and straight diagonal lines throughout the composition.

Balance is the arrangement of elements within a piece so that no part overpowers another. Formal balance occurs when a piece has linear symmetry, in other words, if it was divided in half, one side would mirror the other. Structural balance includes symmetry, but also involves ensuring a piece, usually a building structure, is both stable and aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

Answer will vary but may include the following: The artwork is a self-portrait painted by Frida Kahlo. As an independent and free-spirited woman, she chose to paint herself in a naturalistic way. She wanted to show the truth as beautiful, and the sternness and confidence within herself and the female gender.

This piece is by Rene Magritte, entitled, The Son of Man. Answer will vary but may include the following: When we look at this, we can identify that there is a man dressed in a long suit and hat with a piece of fruit in front of his face. This piece makes us feel uncomfortable. Based on the title and the setting, this painting might be alluding to the biblical story of creation and the apple ate by the first man and woman, which went against God’s instructions. This use of imagery and symbolism could perhaps imply the presence of temptation in a modern setting. Man have always been, and always will be faced with temptations, and decisions between right and wrong.

Tint: Adding white to a color to make it lighter. Tone: Refers to the light, color, and shade of an object. Shading: Showing a change from light to dark in an object by darkening areas that would have a shadow.

With formalism, art is evaluated in terms of its use of the elements of art. Formalism is not concerned with content, and is not influenced by time and space (the objective world).

Modeling in art is the use of light, shadow, and gradual changes in tone to make flat painted forms appear three-dimensional. Michelangelo was considered a master of modeling because he created convincing human bodies with strong anatomy, rounded forms, and carefully shaded muscles and drapery. In The Holy Family, the figures appear solid and sculptural, as if they could be carved from stone. His skillful use of highlights and shadows gives the people depth, volume, and lifelike presence.

Autobiography is any artwork that express something about the artist’s life. Biography expresses the artist’s life and personality through his/her works of art.

Proportion: Refers to the relationship between parts of a whole and their relation to the whole. Emphasis: Where the artist can create focal points to catch our eye. Form: Any three dimensional geometric shape. It can also refer to the visible elements of a piece.