This quiz addresses the requirements of the National Curriculum KS3 in Art and Design for children aged 11 to 14 in years 7 to 9. Specifically this quiz is aimed at the section dealing with understanding art movements and their influence on the world, and it focusses in particular on Ancient Greek and Roman, or Classical Art.
In KS3 children will learn how to critically appraise historical works of art, as well as understand the influence ancient movements have had on art today.
The art of the ancient Greeks and Romans is called classical art. This name is also used to describe later periods in which artists looked for their inspiration to this ancient style. The Romans learned sculpture and painting largely from the Greeks and helped to transmit Greek art to later ages. Classical art owes its lasting influence to its simplicity and reasonableness, its humanity, and its sheer beauty.
It is widely accepted that Rome owes nearly the entirety of its artistic achievement to the Greeks. The Greeks had long since mastered the art of sculpture, creating some of the greatest masterpieces of all time. The elements of Greek sculpture - realism, idealism and harmony of form - held a great appeal to the Romans. The Romans may also have borrowed inspiration from the Etruscans, who had an artistic tradition all of their own, including sculptures and murals. Most historians tend to see Roman art as, at best, a poor copy of Greek art. It is possible that the Romans themselves shared this perspective. Roman authors rave about Greek sculptors but they make no mention at all of Roman sculptors!