Question 1

Who were the two most famous competitors in the 1401 competition for the decoration of the doors of the Florence Baptistery?
A)Brunelleschi and Ghiberti
B)Michelangelo and Leonardo
C)Donatello and Masaccio
D)Botticelli and Mirandola

Accepted Answer

Brunelleschi and Ghiberti were the two most famous competitors in the 1401 competition for the decoration of the doors of the Florence Baptistery. This competition marked the beginning of the Renaissance and the birth of the modern concept of the artist as a creative genius. Their work helped to redefine art and architecture, and their influence can still be seen today in the famous dome of Florence's cathedral, which was designed by Brunelleschi.

Question 2

What Florentine banker founded an academy for the study of Plato?
A)Cosimo de Medici
B)Lorenzo de' Medici
C)Piero de'Medici
D)Savonarola

Accepted Answer

B

Question 3

What famous painting of Sandro Botticelli celebrates the spring?
A)The Birth of Venus
B)Madonna of the Rocks
C)La Primavera
D)Giovanni Arnolfini and his Bride

Accepted Answer

La Primavera (which means "The Spring" in Italian) is a famous painting by Sandro Botticelli that depicts a group of mythological figures in a garden, celebrating the arrival of spring.

Question 4

What were seen as the advantages of humanist education and learning?
A)It would perfect and ennoble man.
B)It would provide entertainment.
C)It would satisfy humanity's basest desires.
D)It would leave to a life of solitary religious devotion.

Accepted Answer

Humanist education and learning were seen as a way to perfect and ennoble man by emphasizing the development of human virtues such as reason, morality, and civility. It aimed to create well-rounded individuals who could contribute to society positively. It was also a departure from the medieval education system, which focused more on religious teachings and memorization of texts. Therefore, A is the correct choice. B, C, and D do not align with the goals of humanist education.

Question 5

What did Pico della Mirandola write?
A)Oration of the Dignity of Man
B)The Praise of Folly
C)Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy
D)The Prince

Accepted Answer

Pico della Mirandola wrote Oration of the Dignity of Man.

Question 6

Who was the greatest Florentine sculptor of the first half of the 1400s?
A)Donatello
B)Michelangelo
C)Masaccio
D)Botticelli

Accepted Answer

Donatello was the greatest Florentine sculptor of the first half of the 1400s, known for his innovative techniques and naturalistic style. Michelangelo was a later Florentine sculptor who lived in the late 1400s to the mid-1500s, Masaccio was a painter, and Botticelli was a painter in the late 1400s to early 1500s.

Question 7

Who invented printing with movable type?
A)Girolamo Savonarola
B)Johannes Gutenburg
C)Aldus Manutius
D)Leonardo da Vinci

Accepted Answer

Johannes Gutenberg invented printing with movable type in the mid-15th century. His invention revolutionized book production and greatly increased access to information and knowledge.

Question 8

What was Brunelleschi's contribution to Florence Cathedral?
A)He painted the interior frescoes.
B)He designed the dome.
C)He designed the transept.
D)He created the artwork for the nave.

Accepted Answer

Brunelleschi's major contribution to Florence Cathedral was his design of the dome. He spent over 16 years working on the dome, which is considered an architectural marvel of its time and a symbol of Renaissance engineering.

Question 9

What two earlier "renaissances" were there in the 800s and 1100s?
A)Ninth-century Venice and the Byzantine Renaissance
B)Twelfth-century Paris and the Carolingian Renaissance
C)The eleventh-century Spanish and Netherlandish Renaissances
D)The Roman and Sicilian Renaissances of the eleventh century

Accepted Answer

The two earlier "renaissances" referred to in the question are the Carolingian Renaissance that occurred in the 800s in Paris, under the patronage of Charlemagne, and the 12th century Renaissance that took place in Europe's intellectual and cultural center in the city of Constantinople, under the Byzantine Empire. Thus, the best answer is B, which includes both of these renaissances.

Question 10

What was innovative about Donatello's portrayal of David?
A)He portrayed the character as an old king.
B)He used a completely new artistic medium.
C)He combined a classical form with a Christian subject.
D)He showed the figure with an element of tension in his expression.

Accepted Answer

Donatello's portrayal of David combined a classical form, the contrapposto pose, with a Christian subject, which was innovative at the time.

Question 11

What is the message of The Song of Bacchus?
A)Always proceed with an eye toward the future.
B)Don't underestimate the power of music.
C)Enjoy the present moment.
D)Respect your elders.

Accepted Answer

The Song of Bacchus celebrates the pleasures of life and encourages the listener to enjoy the present moment, as Bacchus is the god of wine, parties, and celebration.

Question 12

Which composer was one of Dufay's most prominent pupils?
A)Fra Savonarola
B)Lorenzo de' Medici
C)Guillaume de Machaut
D)Johannes Ockeghem

Accepted Answer

Johannes Ockeghem was one of the most prominent pupils of Dufay and went on to become one of the most influential composers of the Renaissance period.

Question 13

Which of the following was NOT designed by Brunelleschi?
A)The dome of Florence Cathedral
B)Palazzo Rucellai
C)The loggia of Ospedale degli Innocenti
D)Pazzi Chapel

Accepted Answer

Palazzo Rucellai was designed by Leon Battista Alberti, not Filippo Brunelleschi. Brunelleschi is famous for his work on the dome of Florence Cathedral, the loggia of Ospedale degli Innocenti, and the Pazzi Chapel, among others.

Question 14

What was the primary source of the Medici family's wealth?
A)shipping
B)banking
C)wool trade
D)agriculture

Accepted Answer

The Medici family's primary source of wealth was banking. They established a banking empire throughout Europe in the 15th century, which allowed them to finance the arts, politics, and patronage of important artists such as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.

Question 15

What name did Michelangelo give to East Doors of the Florence Baptistery?
A)The Archway of Angels
B)The Portal of Bliss
C)The Blessed Doorway
D)The Gates of Paradise

Accepted Answer

Michelangelo gave the name "The Gates of Paradise" to the East Doors of the Florence Baptistery.

Question 16

Which Dominican monk preached against Florentine art and culture?
A)Pico della Mirandola
B)Piero de' Medici
C)Fra Savonarola
D)Giorgio Vasari

Accepted Answer

Fra Savonarola was a Dominican monk who preached against the decadence of the Florentine culture and the influence of humanism and artistic indulgence. He was a strong critic of the art of the Renaissance period and encouraged the public burning of books, art, and other materials he deemed to be immoral or irreligious.

Question 17

Which city was the most important center of the early Italian Renaissance?
A)Venice
B)Naples
C)Florence
D)Rome

Accepted Answer

Florence was the most important center of the early Italian Renaissance, with prominent artists, architects, and intellectuals such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Galileo Galilei working and creating in the city. The Medici family, who ruled Florence during this period, were great patrons of the arts and sciences, further contributing to the city's cultural and intellectual growth.

Question 18

What was most revolutionary about Masaccio's painting?
A)Its two-dimensionality
B)Its expressive force and realism
C)Its juxtaposition of "warm" and "cool" colors
D)Its mastery of the oil-on-wood medium

Accepted Answer

Masaccio's painting is revolutionary because of its expressive force and realism. He used chiaroscuro to create depth and volume, and his figures appear solid and three-dimensional. He also incorporated perspective into his compositions, which gives them a sense of realism and spatial coherence. This marked a departure from the flat, stylized figures of the previous era, and paved the way for the naturalism of the High Renaissance.

Question 19

Which artist wrote the first theoretical treatise about creating perspective in art?
A)Piero della Francesca
B)Paolo Uccello
C)Fra Angelico
D)Masaccio

Accepted Answer

Piero della Francesca wrote "De Prospectiva Pingendi," a treatise on the mathematical principles of perspective in art.

Question 20

What was the subject of Donatello's most famous near-life size sculpture?
A)Adam
B)Moses
C)Abraham
D)David

Accepted Answer

Donatello's most famous near-life size sculpture is the bronze statue of David, commissioned by the Medici family in the early 15th century.

Quiz 11: The Fourteenth Century: a Time of Transition

Who were the two most famous competitors in the 1401 competition for the decoration of the doors of the Florence Baptistery?

What Florentine banker founded an academy for the study of Plato?

What famous painting of Sandro Botticelli celebrates the spring?

What were seen as the advantages of humanist education and learning?

What did Pico della Mirandola write?

Who was the greatest Florentine sculptor of the first half of the 1400s?

Who invented printing with movable type?

What was Brunelleschi's contribution to Florence Cathedral?

What two earlier "renaissances" were there in the 800s and 1100s?

What was innovative about Donatello's portrayal of David?

What is the message of The Song of Bacchus?

Which composer was one of Dufay's most prominent pupils?

Which of the following was NOT designed by Brunelleschi?

What was the primary source of the Medici family's wealth?

What name did Michelangelo give to East Doors of the Florence Baptistery?

Which Dominican monk preached against Florentine art and culture?

Which city was the most important center of the early Italian Renaissance?

What was most revolutionary about Masaccio's painting?

Which artist wrote the first theoretical treatise about creating perspective in art?

What was the subject of Donatello's most famous near-life size sculpture?