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AP Art History Study Guide

Overview of AP Art History Exam

The AP Art History exam assesses your ability to analyze and interpret works of art from different periods and cultures. It consists of two main parts:

  1. Multiple-Choice Questions (80 MCQs)
  2. Free-Response Questions (6 FRQs)

The topics in the exam are broken down into several periods and movements, focusing on how art reflects the culture, time, and context of the world’s history.

Key Periods and Movements to Study

  1. Prehistoric Art
    • Key Artworks: Cave Paintings, Venus Figurines, Dolmens
    • Important Concepts: Symbolism, Ritual Use, and Function of Art
    • Study Focus: Art in early human societies, understanding of space and representation.
  2. Ancient Near Eastern Art
    • Key Artworks: Stele of Hammurabi, Assyrian Lamassu
    • Important Concepts: Use of art for political and religious purposes
    • Study Focus: Development of written language and law codes, political symbolism in art.
  3. Egyptian Art
    • Key Artworks: Great Pyramids, Bust of Nefertiti
    • Important Concepts: Idealized representations, symbolic use of colors and forms
    • Study Focus: The connection between art and the afterlife, the role of the pharaohs.
  4. Greek Art
    • Key Artworks: Parthenon, Discus Thrower, Laocoön and His Sons
    • Important Concepts: The human figure in proportion, Classical ideals of beauty
    • Study Focus: Development of realism and the study of human anatomy in sculpture.
  5. Roman Art
    • Key Artworks: Colosseum, Augustus of Prima Porta, Pantheon
    • Important Concepts: The role of art in imperial propaganda
    • Study Focus: Public art as a tool for social control and projecting power.
  6. Early Christian and Byzantine Art
    • Key Artworks: Christ as the Good Shepherd, Hagia Sophia
    • Important Concepts: Religious symbolism, iconoclasm, mosaics
    • Study Focus: The transformation of classical traditions into Christian and Byzantine art.
  7. Medieval Art
    • Key Artworks: Book of Kells, Chartres Cathedral
    • Important Concepts: The role of Christianity in art, illuminated manuscripts, Romanesque and Gothic architecture
    • Study Focus: The transition from Early Christian to Romanesque, and the development of Gothic styles.
  8. Renaissance Art
    • Key Artworks: Leonardo’s Vitruvian Man, Michelangelo’s David, Raphael’s School of Athens
    • Important Concepts: Humanism, perspective, and the revival of classical ideals
    • Study Focus: The rediscovery of Greek and Roman ideals in art, development of linear perspective.
  9. Baroque Art
    • Key Artworks: Caravaggio’s The Calling of Saint Matthew, Bernini’s The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa
    • Important Concepts: Emotional intensity, dramatic use of light and shadow, movement
    • Study Focus: Art as a tool for both religious and political expression.
  10. Modern Art (19th - 20th Century)
  • Key Artworks: Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, Monet’s Impression, Sunrise
  • Important Concepts: Abstraction, symbolism, and new artistic movements like Impressionism, Cubism, and Surrealism
  • Study Focus: Revolution in art with a focus on expression, subjective interpretation, and new materials.

Art Analysis Techniques

  • Formal Analysis:
    Focus on the visual elements of the artwork, such as color, line, shape, texture, space, and form. Analyze how these elements come together to create the overall effect.
  • Contextual Analysis:
    Consider the historical, cultural, political, and social context in which the artwork was created. What was happening in the world at that time? How does the art reflect or respond to those conditions?
  • Iconography:
    Study the symbols used in the artwork and how they convey meaning. This can involve understanding religious, political, or personal symbols used by the artist.

Tips for the Exam

  1. Know Key Artworks and Artists:
    Memorize the most important works of art from each time period. Understand their significance and how they relate to the period in which they were created.
  2. Practice Timed Essays:
    For the FRQs, you’ll need to write essays in a short amount of time. Practice structuring your responses quickly and thoroughly.
  3. Familiarize Yourself with Art Terms:
    The exam will test your ability to use the correct terminology to describe and analyze works of art. Review terms related to color theory, composition, and artistic techniques.
  4. Review the AP Art History Course Framework:
    Make sure you understand the structure of the exam and how questions are framed. Practice answering questions that require analysis, identification, and comparison.

Practice Resources

  • Past AP Art History Exam Questions:
    Review previous years' exams to get a sense of the types of questions you might encounter. Focus on the FRQs, which test your ability to analyze specific works of art.
  • Flashcards for Art Terminology and Artists:
    Create or use flashcards to help memorize important terms, styles, and artists.
  • Online Art Databases:
    Websites like Google Arts & Culture or The Met’s Collection can be helpful for viewing high-quality images of key artworks.