A Burial at Ornans by Gustave Courbet (France — 1849) — Questions and answers

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What did Gustave Courbet want to show in his painting 'A Burial at Ornans' that made it different from other art at the time?

Choices

  1. A. Great heroes and mighty gods
  2. B. Ordinary people in their real lives ✓
  3. C. Very idealized feelings and fancy stories
  4. D. Beautiful kings and queens from history

Answer: B. Ordinary people in their real lives

From page 1

What did Gustave's father, Régis, want young Gustave to see when he looked at the land?

Choices

  1. A. Only the mountains and trees
  2. B. How fleeting kings and queens are
  3. C. Some pretty ideal version of it
  4. D. The truth in it ✓

Answer: D. The truth in it

From page 2

What did Gustave Courbet feel was missing from the art he saw in Parisian salons?

Choices

  1. A. Lots of bright and cheerful colors
  2. B. The dirt and sweat of honest labor ✓
  3. C. Grand palaces and royal families
  4. D. Very fancy and expensive frames

Answer: B. The dirt and sweat of honest labor

From page 3

What did Courbet admire about Rembrandt's self-portrait?

Choices

  1. The elevated subjects
  2. The flattery and pretense
  3. The truth and honesty in his gaze ✓
  4. The bright colors

Answer: The truth and honesty in his gaze

From page 4

What did Courbet say he wanted to show in 'The Stone Breakers'?

Choices

  1. Magical creatures
  2. The dignity of labor ✓
  3. Bright and colorful parties
  4. Fantastical stories

Answer: The dignity of labor

From page 5

Why did critics initially reject 'A Burial at Ornans'?

Choices

  1. It was too colorful and happy.
  2. It had unidealized figures, somber colors, and lacked dramatic action. ✓
  3. It showed too many angels and gods.
  4. It was painted too small for the important subject.

Answer: It had unidealized figures, somber colors, and lacked dramatic action.

From page 9

According to a museum visitor, what is 'A Burial at Ornans' like?

Choices

  1. A fantastical dream
  2. A boring old painting
  3. So real and honest, like looking into the past ✓
  4. A bright and cheerful scene

Answer: So real and honest, like looking into the past

From page 10