BLAS 110: African American Art

Short Answer Questions for Quizzes

 

These questions will appear on the quizzes as multiple choice or true false questions. Answers to these questions are provided in lecture and also in the textbooks for the course. You should also use these questions as a guide for developing your essay.

 

From Powerpoint and In Class Lecture:

 

1.       Define the terms signifier and signified?

 

2.       Describe some of the signifiers of blackness and what is signified?

 

3.       Discuss the meaning of consciousness and double consciousness in relation to blackness?

 

4.       Define Diaspora and also Diaspora studies?

 

5.       Describe some of the social struggles black artists face?

 

6.       Describe the purpose of the image Las Castas?

 

7.       Describe some of the signifierÕs in Las Castas?

 

8.       Why are so few artists documented prior to the late 19th century?

 

9.       Describe some of the main concerns of African American artists when producing works of art?

 

FARRINGTON TEXT

 

CHAPTER 1: THE ART OF PERCEPTION:

 

Define terms:

Deconstruction

Patron

Formal analysis

Post-Structuralism

Iconography

Primary Source

Icons

Relief vs. Sculpture in the round

Jim Crow

Semiotics

Naturalism

Structuralism

Negative Space

Visual Literacy

 

CHAPTER 2: ART AND DESIGN IN THE COLONIAL ERA (Some of these answers will come from lecture)

 

10.    Why did historians believe all African cultural practices had been lost as a result of slavery?

 

11.    Describe the Middle Passage.

 

12.    What types of works of art did black artists produce in the Americas?

 

13.    Define slave codes.

 

14.    Describe the layout of Plantations.

 

15.    What is the name of the oldest surviving plantation house in the U.S?

 

16.    Describe some of the original design features of the oldest plantation house (see http://paintandwallpaper.bobvila.com/Video/106.html )

 

17.    Describe is cob-walling and mud walling (see powerpoint)

 

18.    Describe wattle and daub construction.

 

19.    What African structure resembles both cob walling and wattle and daub design? (see powerpoint)

 

20.    Describe the types of structures found in African countries resemble the design of the slave houses found in the south?

 

21.    Define Africanisms?

 

22.    Define Syncretism and creolization?

 

23.    Why is creolization evidence of the maintenance of African traditions but also assimilation into U.S. culture?

 

24.    Describe the design elements of some African structures that were missing from slave houses and what conclusion can been drawn from this absence?

 

25.    Describe a hipped roof.

 

26.    Who was Marie Therese?

 

27.    Describe the distinct design elements of the African House on the Melrose Plantation (see powerpoint).

 

28.    The African House was possibly inspired by what type of structure and where was this structure located?

 

29.     Describe the French Creole design as seen in the Yucca house.

 

30.    Describe a dormer roof?

 

31.    Why were blacksmiths important both in African Countries and to Slave owners?

 

32.    Describe some of the advantages for slave craftsmen working in urban areas (free or fugitive slaves)?

 

33.    Describe the design of the Slave Cabin (use terms to describe construction and overall design traditions).

 

34.    List the various types of sculptural art forms African Americans produced during the Colonial era.

 

35.    Define cire perdue.

 

36.    Describe the special role of Blacksmiths and Woodworkers played in African and Slave communities.

 

37.    Describe the Palladian style as seen in Drayton Hall.

 

38.    Define gourd and akonting.

 

39.    Describe the origin of the banjo (location and design).

 

40.    Describe the formal elements in John RoseÕs The Old Plantation and the significance of the documenting the banjo in the painting.

 

41.    Define acculturation and what effect did it have on the slave lifestyle? (refer to Rose painting)

 

42.    Describe black face Minstrels (connect to terms signifier and signified and note negative effects).

 

43.    Describe the design/formal elements of the Akan drum.

 

44.    Why were slave drums banned in the U.S?

 

45.    Describe the connections between the Slave drum and African drums and their meaning (if any)?

 

46.    Describe colonoware.

 

47.    Describe the cause for the decline in the construction of colonoware pottery?

 

48.    Define throwing and coiling and which of these methods did slave artisans use?

 

49.    Define academy and why was it important for an artist to attend an academy?

 

50.    Why was Scipio Moorhead asked to print an image of Phillis Wheatley?

 

51.    Who was Phillis Wheatley?

 

52.    Compare and contrast the portraits produced by Moorhead and Copley. Why are they both ideal representations of the American style of portraiture? (see powerpoint)

 

53.    Describe the process to make an engraving.

 

54.    Review the Key terms and Questions in back of chapter.

 

CHAPTER 3: FEDERAL PERIOD ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN

 

55.    Describe the key features of the federal style of architecture.

 

56.    Describe these same features in the Destrehan Manor.

 

57.    Describe the African and Afro-Caribbean elements in the Destrehan Manor.

 

58.    How was Paguet paid for the construction of the Destrehan Manor and what does this payment say about Federal period ideologies in regards to slaves?

 

59.    Describe the key historical event took place at the Destrehan Manor (and the events prior).

 

60.    Describe the Neoclassical features of JeffersonÕs Monticello and who helped build the home and what is his connection to Jefferson?

 

61.    Describe the Art Nouveau elements in Hemmings Arm Chair.

 

62.    Why did Celestin Glapion prefer walnut and cypress?

 

63.    Describe the French features in GlapionÕs Armoire.

 

64.    What styles did Dutreuil Barjon prefer and why?

 

65.    Where did the Biedermeier style originate and what are some of its characteristic design elements?

 

66.    Why was Thomas Day a significant businessman in Milton N.C.?

 

67.    Describe the steps did Thomas Day took to increase his popularity?

 

68.    Describe the Empire and Greek revival designs and why they were the preferred styles?

 

69.    Describe DayÕs signature design motif?

 

70.    How did the furniture design of the Colonial period differ from the Empire and Federal period?

 

71.    Describe Henry Gudgell skills as a craftsman.

 

72.    Describe the evidence of syncretism in GudgellÕs cane.

 

73.    Describe the types of wood were popular for furniture design in the U.S?

 

74.    Describe the conclusions that can be drawn about the development of U.S. culture when analyzing the changes seen in mid 19th century furniture design?

 

75.    Describe the significance of the Edgefield pottery district (economic, design, labor, and production)

 

76.    What Kongo elements are seen in the Face Vessel jug?

 

77.    Describe the formal elements and possible purpose of face vessels?

 

78.    Describe the writings on Dave the PotterÕs (DrakeÕs) pots and why is this text significant?

 

79.    Describe the production process and style of Dave DrakeÕs vessels.

 

80.    Describe the process to produce salt-glazed stoneware.

 

81.    Who were CommerawÕs customers and why is he considered a successful businessman.

 

82.    Define makerÕs mark.

 

83.    Describe the distinct features of CommerawÕs pottery.

 

84.    Describe some of the responsibilities of a Blacksmith.

 

85.    Define mustice.

 

86.    Peter Bentzon was an expert in which area?

 

87.    Describe the Federal Period design elements in BentzonÕs teapot.

 

88.    Describe the various reasons why the textile industry was important to slave women.

 

89.    Describe a patchwork, applique, and piece quilt.

 

90.    Describe the materials used to construct quilts.

 

91.    Describe a pieced quilt and why were they popular prior in 1775?

 

92.    Describe the symbolic meaning associated with the eight-point star that was adopted by slave quilters?

 

93.    Describe the African, European and Native American traditions that are demonstrated in the design of slave quilts? (nsibidi signs, adire-elecko, etc.)

 

94.    Describe quilting bees and why were they important in slave and non-slave communities?

 

95.    Describe the positive and negative effects of the use of the term ŌAuntĶ and ŌUncleĶ?

 

96.    Describe and define some of the symbolism on quilts?

 

97.    Describe the possible role quilts played in the Underground Railroad?

 

98.    Why were quilts seen as non-threatening?

 

99.    Describe the dual content Harriet Powers portrayed in her quilts?

 

100. Why were the biblical images in Powers' quilts beneficial to former slaves as well as others?

 

101. Describe the way in his the design of PowersÕ quilt enhanced the content.

 

102. Describe the events that led to Elizabeth KeckleyÕs freedom and her ability to become a seamstress.

 

103. Describe her style of dressmaking.

 

104. Which of her skills as a designer was most prized by her clients?

 

105. Who were KeckleyÕs most notable clients?

 

106. Define modiste.

 

CHAPTER 4: 19TH CENTURY NEOCLASSICISM

 

107. Describe the artistic transition from the Federal period to the Neoclassical period

 

108. Which ancient cultures inspired the Neoclassical style?

 

109. Who was Johann Joachim Winklemann and what were his views on art?

 

110. Describe some of the characteristics of Neoclassicism.

 

111. Describe Edmonia LewisÕ experience/history as an African American female sculptor.

 

112. Describe some of the events that enabled LewisÕ to pursue an artistic career.

 

113. Describe her style of sculpting (reference Neoclassical elements and references to contemporary history and social issues).

 

114. What struggles did Lewis face as a sculptor?

 

115. Describe the connection between LewisÕ Hagar in the wilderness and 19th century events in the U.S?

 

116. Describe event that is commemorated in LewisÕ Forever Free?

 

117. What comment is Lewis making about gender roles in Forever Free?

 

118. What type of sculpture did Florville Foy and Daniel Warbug specialize in that enabled them to earn an income asartists?

 

119. Which ancient monument did Warburg appropriate (borrow) when sculpting his Holcomb-Aiken Family Monument?

 

Two-dimensional art

 

120. Why were their few opportunities for A.A. painters, printmakers, graphic artists, etc.

 

121. Who are limners?

 

122. Define miniaturist.

 

123. Why was Joshua Johnson able to achieve some success as a painter?

 

124. Describe JohnsonÕs style of painting.

 

125. Why was the Peale family significant?

 

126. Describe the role Charles Peale Polk played in the development of JohnstonÕs (JohnsonÕs) career?

 

127. Who is represented in JohnsonÕs Portrait of a Gentleman and why is this painting significant?

 

128. Describe some of the characteristics of 19th century American portraiture (see Johnson, Simpson, and Hudson) Note similarities and differences in their styles.

 

129. Why is Simpson described as a colorist?

 

130. Describe some of the unique techniques Hudson applied when painting portraits.

 

131. Define trompe loeil.

 

132. Describe some of the struggles women faced when trying to enter the art field.

 

133. What types of works did women create.

 

134. Describe Folk Art.

 

135. What are friendship albums?

 

136. Who is Sarah Mapps Douglas and why was she and how did she assist African American women?