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Quizzes > History

Art History Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of Movements and Masters

Quick, free art trivia quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Elenor NicholsUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art depicting elements of art history for a trivia quiz

This Art History Quiz helps you review major movements, iconic works, and key artists in minutes. Answer 15 multiple-choice questions to spot gaps before a class or simply learn something new. For more practice, try the famous paintings quiz, explore a focused Renaissance art quiz, or deepen scope with an art periods quiz.

Which artist painted the Mona Lisa?
Raphael
Michelangelo
Leonardo da Vinci
Donatello
The Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo da Vinci during the High Renaissance. It is renowned for its sitter's enigmatic expression and masterful sfumato technique.
The art movement characterized by the use of tiny dots of color to create images is called:
Pointillism
Fauvism
Impressionism
Cubism
Pointillism, developed by Georges Seurat and Paul Signac, uses small dots of pure color placed side by side. This optical mixing produces vibrant surfaces when viewed from a distance.
"The Starry Night" was painted by which artist?
Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Vincent van Gogh
Paul Gauguin
Claude Monet
Vincent van Gogh painted The Starry Night in 1889 while he was in the asylum of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. The work is famous for its swirling sky and emotional brushwork.
The term "chiaroscuro" refers to:
Flattened two-dimensional forms
Vibrant patches of color
The use of strong contrasts of light and dark
Swirling brushstrokes
Chiaroscuro describes the dramatic interplay of light and shadow to model three-dimensional forms. This technique was popularized during the Renaissance.
Which art period is known for its emphasis on religious iconography and gold backgrounds?
Impressionism
Realism
Rococo
Byzantine Art
Byzantine art, spanning roughly the 5th to 15th centuries, is characterized by stylized figures, religious themes, and extensive use of gold leaf in mosaics and icons.
The painting "The School of Athens" by Raphael exemplifies which Renaissance concept?
Humanism
Naturalism
Mannerism
Secularism
The School of Athens celebrates classical philosophers and embodies Renaissance humanism's emphasis on rational thought and revival of antiquity. It depicts intellectual exchange rather than purely religious subjects.
Which movement is associated with artists like Claude Monet and an emphasis on capturing light?
Realism
Post-Impressionism
Dada
Impressionism
Impressionism, led by Claude Monet, focused on capturing the fleeting effects of light and color in outdoor scenes, often using quick brushstrokes and open compositions.
The work "Guernica" by Pablo Picasso was created in response to which event?
The end of World War I
The bombing of Guernica
The Russian Revolution
The rise of Cubism
Guernica was Picasso's reaction to the April 1937 bombing of the Basque town Guernica during the Spanish Civil War, and it stands as a powerful anti-war statement.
Identify the style characterized by elongated figures and artificial poses, typical of which movement?
Mannerism
Romanticism
Renaissance
Baroque
Mannerism emerged after the High Renaissance, featuring exaggerated proportions, complex poses, and a departure from classical balance to express tension and elegance.
Which artist is known for pioneering Cubism?
Henri Matisse
Wassily Kandinsky
Pablo Picasso
Salvador Dalí
Pablo Picasso, along with Georges Braque, developed Cubism around 1907 - 1914 by fragmenting forms into geometric shapes and depicting multiple viewpoints simultaneously.
The term "tenebrism" is best defined as:
Use of bright, flat colors
Geometric abstraction
Soft blending of tones
Extreme use of chiaroscuro with dramatic contrast
Tenebrism exaggerates chiaroscuro by placing figures in deep shadow against brightly lit areas, heightening drama - a technique championed by Caravaggio.
Which Baroque painter is known for dramatic use of light and religious themes?
Caravaggio
Velázquez
Rembrandt
Rubens
Caravaggio pioneered tenebrism and depicted intense religious scenes with realistic figures emerging from dark backgrounds, profoundly influencing Baroque art.
The painting "Liberty Leading the People" by Eugène Delacroix commemorates which event?
The American Revolution
The Revolutions of 1848
The French Revolution of 1789
The July Revolution of 1830
Liberty Leading the People celebrates France's July Revolution of 1830, symbolized by Marianne leading citizens over barricades holding the tricolour flag.
Gothic architecture is distinguished from Romanesque by which feature?
Barrel vaults
Small windows
Pointed arches
Thick walls
Gothic cathedrals use pointed arches to distribute weight more efficiently, allowing for taller structures and larger stained-glass windows than Romanesque buildings.
Diego Velázquez's "Las Meninas" is significant for:
Its complex perspective and depiction of the Spanish court
Abstract forms
Use of pointillist technique
A bright pastel palette
Las Meninas features a layered composition, reflections, and a sophisticated play of gazes, offering insight into court life and the artist's relationship with his subjects.
Which painting by Jacques-Louis David exemplifies Neoclassicism?
The Persistence of Memory
Oath of the Horatii
The Last Supper
Impression, Sunrise
Oath of the Horatii (1784) embodies Neoclassical ideals with its clear composition, stoic figures, and references to classical Roman virtue and civic duty.
In Titian's "Venus of Urbino", the use of color and loose brushwork is characteristic of which regional Renaissance school?
Venetian School
Umbrian School
Sienese School
Florentine School
The Venetian school, led by artists like Titian, emphasized rich color, tonal harmony, and fluid brushwork, differing from the Florentine focus on line and design.
The "Arnolfini Portrait" by Jan van Eyck includes symbolic references. Which object symbolizes marital fidelity?
The bed
The dog
The oranges
The convex mirror
In the Arnolfini Portrait, the presence of a small dog at the couple's feet represents loyalty and faithfulness, common symbolism in Northern Renaissance art.
The technique of sfumato is most closely associated with which artist?
Caravaggio
Michelangelo
Leonardo da Vinci
Raphael
Sfumato, meaning "smoked," is Leonardo's technique of softening transitions between colors and tones to create a lifelike, atmospheric effect.
Edvard Munch's "The Scream" is an emblematic work of which movement?
Cubism
Impressionism
Fauvism
Expressionism
The Scream expresses intense emotion and psychological angst through distorted forms and vivid colors, hallmarks of the Expressionist movement.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Analyse key features of major art movements across history
  2. Identify influential artists and their signature works
  3. Evaluate the cultural and historical context of artworks
  4. Compare stylistic characteristics of different art periods
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of iconic masterpieces and artists
  6. Apply art terminology to describe visual elements accurately

Cheat Sheet

  1. Defining Features of Art Movements - Peel back the layers of Expressionism's drama, Cubism's fractured perspectives, and Impressionism's play with light to unlock each movement's unique style. Spotting these hallmarks turns you into an art-detective, ready to crack any visual code.
  2. Artistic Legends You Should Know - Get up close with masters like Leonardo da Vinci, whose technical genius and curious mind birthed icons like the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. Recognizing their signature flourishes helps you appreciate how one artist can redefine an era.
  3. Cultural & Historical Contexts - Journey into the backstories of works like Keith Haring's subway graffiti - born from 1980s New York's vibrant street culture and activism. Understanding context adds depth and makes each artwork spring to life.
  4. Comparing Styles Across Periods - Contrast the realism and balanced compositions of Renaissance painters with the experimental edge of Modernists to see art's thrilling evolution. This side-by-side approach sharpens your eye for subtle shifts in technique and theme.
  5. Iconic Masterpieces to Study - Dive into Hokusai's The Great Wave off Kanagawa, a perfect blend of dynamism and delicate detail that swept into Western art circles and inspired countless painters. Its timeless power makes it a must-analyze classic.
  6. Essential Art Terminology - Master words like chiaroscuro (dramatic light and shadow) and sfumato (soft, smoky edges) to describe what you see like a pro. These terms are your secret weapons when discussing technique and mood.
  7. Impact of Art Movements on Society - Explore how Abstract Expressionism's raw emotion, championed by Willem de Kooning, shifted art from public narratives to personal inner worlds. Understanding these societal ripples puts each brushstroke in perspective.
  8. The Power of Patronage - Learn how wealthy patrons in Renaissance Italy shaped what got painted and why, steering artists toward religious, political, or personal themes. This behind-the-scenes influence reveals the business side of art.
  9. Evolution of Artistic Techniques - Trace the birth of linear perspective in Renaissance Florence, which transformed flat canvases into immersive, three-dimensional worlds. Grasping this breakthrough illuminates centuries of artistic innovation.
  10. Non-Western Influences on Western Art - Discover how Japanese woodblock prints sparked the Japonisme craze and pushed Impressionists like Monet toward bold compositions and fresh color palettes. Cross-cultural exchange keeps art evolving!
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