History of Art A-Level
August 16 2012
Today is A-level results day in the UK (the last exams before you go to college/university). For some it will be a moment of joyous celebration, but for many others it won't. To the former, well done and congratulations. To the latter, fret not. As an occasional employer, I have never once judged anyone on their A-level results. It's what you do next which really marks you out.
For any readers wanting to bring back those dreadful exam memories - the final all-night revision session, the anxiety, the sweating, the last-minute dash to the lav (or was that just me?) - here are some questions from the 2011 history of art A-level:
[1 hr 30 mins] Answer three questions.
Question 1 Materials, techniques and processes - Discuss how the use of different media has an effect on the appearance of two paintings.
Question 2 Form and style - Analyse the formal features of two sculptures which are stylistically different.
Question 3 Form and function - Discuss the formal aspects of two buildings, each of which fulfils a different function.
Question 4 Historical and social contexts - Select two works of art, each by a different artist, and comment on how each artist has responded to the time in which they lived.
Question 5 Patronage - How are the motives of the patron(s) reflected in two works of art and/or architecture?
Question 6 Gender, nationality and ethnicity - Show how national identity is evident in the appearance of two buildings.
They seem to me impossibly vague, hardly designed to test a broad knowledge of art history.
Update - a reader writes:
Are you not too strict on the Art A Level? I've had a look at the 2009 paper and the 'analysis' section asks you to talk about Wright's Experiment with an air pump, Rodin's Balzac and Smythson's Hardwick Hall. Not a mode-of-alienation or a functionality in sight, just 'imagine you're Kenneth Clark talking about...' I thought that was quite encouraging.
All you need now is a bonus 'connoisseurship' paper ('distinguish the autograph painting from the studio copies, giving reasons for your answer') and the future looks rosy.
Excelent idea. Meanwhile, over on Twitter, reader Holly Howe points us to a history of art 'Higher Level' in Ireland - now this looks hard. First, it's two and half hours long, plus the paper says; 'Sketches and diagrams should be used to illustrate the points you make.' There's a section first on specifically Irish art history, of which there's no equivalent in the English paper, and then these fiendish questions on European Art:
8. The Christian church influenced the development of art and architecture during the Romanesque period. Discuss this statement making detailed reference to the structure, layout and decoration of one named church from the period.
Name and discuss briefly one example of Romanesque sculpture that you have studied. Illustrate your answer.
9. Describe and discuss “The Flagellation of Christ” by Piero della Francesca (1420-1492), which is illustrated on the accompanying sheet. Make reference to the period in which it was produced, composition, style, and the use of light and colour in the painting.
Name and discuss briefly one other work by this artist. Illustrate your answer.
10. Describe and discuss the work of Raphael (1483-1520) referring in detail to subject matter, composition, the depiction of space and treatment of the human figure in one named work by him.
Discuss briefly his overall contribution to the High Renaissance. Illustrate your answer.
11. Describe and discuss “The Ambassadors” by Hans Holbein (1497-1543), which is illustrated on the accompanying sheet, making detailed reference to the subject matter, composition, style, technique and the symbolism in the painting.
Discuss briefly Holbein’s contribution to the art of portraiture. Illustrate your answer.
12. Paul Cézanne (1839-1906) was a major innovator in the history of painting. Discuss this statement with reference to his painting, “Le Mont St Victoire” which is illustrated on the accompanying sheet.
Name and discuss briefly one other named work by Cézanne. Illustrate your answer.
I can't really draw, so probably wouldn't even get an F in this. But I think I'd rather answer these questions than the more interpretive ones in the English paper. As Inspector Clouseau nearly said, 'Facts... nothing matters but the facts, without them art history is nothing more than a guessing game'.
