ARTH232 – Art of Latin American

Samples of Exam Questions

 

 

 

1.      In her book Pre-Columbian Art, Esther Pasztory concludes that: “A comparison of Pre-Columbian art with other early civilizations suggests that there may be two fundamental types of ideology in the archaic state – one that focuses on man and the actions of the elite and the other that focuses on the cosmos as a whole” (p. 165). Using at least 4 examples from both Mesoamerica and the Andes, discuss 4 pre-Columbian artistic traditions that reflect these two different trends.

 

 

2.      It has often been claimed that the art of the colonial era was a complete break with the pre-Hispanic past, with European culture ‘wiping the slate clean’. Do you agree with this statement? Support your answer using at least 3 examples from different areas of Latin America.

 

 

 

Note: Your answer should be structured as an essay, with a central argument and supporting evidence, with a maximum extension of 3 pages (double spaced, 11-point font, and margins of 1”). All of your examples should be taken from the lists of study images given in class. Remember to state author, title and date for each example you use, and to bring ideas and specific references from your assigned readings or other textbooks to support your answers. Make sure the monuments you choose really illustrate the issues stated in each question.