Realism Emerges by Courbet (Paris, France — c. 1850) — Questions and answers

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Why were the Salon critics scandalized by Courbet's painting A Burial at Ornans?

Choices

  1. It was painted in the wrong year.
  2. It showed ordinary people with the importance usually given to kings or gods. ✓
  3. It was too small for the art show.
  4. Courbet was too proud of his work.

Answer: It showed ordinary people with the importance usually given to kings or gods.

From page 1

Why did the critics at the Paris Salon dislike Courbet's painting The Stone Breakers?

Choices

  1. They thought it was too beautiful.
  2. They thought it was vulgar and not fancy enough. ✓
  3. They wanted him to paint more rocks.
  4. They liked the painting very much.

Answer: They thought it was vulgar and not fancy enough.

From page 3

Which two famous artists did Courbet admire and study at the Louvre museum?

Choices

  1. Leonardo da Vinci and Van Gogh
  2. Rembrandt and Hals ✓
  3. Monet and Renoir
  4. Picasso and Dali

Answer: Rembrandt and Hals

From page 4

What inspired Courbet to create his painting A Burial at Ornans?

Choices

  1. A happy birthday party.
  2. A funeral in his hometown. ✓
  3. A visit to a palace.
  4. A dream about angels.

Answer: A funeral in his hometown.

From page 5

What happened when Courbet submitted A Burial at Ornans to the Salon?

Choices

  1. It was chosen as the best painting.
  2. The judges rejected it because they thought it was too common. ✓
  3. Everyone loved it right away.
  4. It was put in a secret art show.

Answer: The judges rejected it because they thought it was too common.

From page 6

What did Courbet do after the Salon rejected his painting?

Choices

  1. He stopped painting for a long time.
  2. He burned all his paintings.
  3. He opened his own art show called the 'Pavilion of Realism'. ✓
  4. He asked the Salon judges to change their minds.

Answer: He opened his own art show called the 'Pavilion of Realism'.

From page 7

What did A Burial at Ornans help future artists do?

Choices

  1. Paint only angels and dreams.
  2. Make art smaller and easier to hide.
  3. Create more idealized and perfect pictures.
  4. Develop Realist art by showing everyday life honestly. ✓

Answer: Develop Realist art by showing everyday life honestly.

From page 8

How does Courbet's work still inspire people today?

Choices

  1. By making art only for rich people.
  2. By telling artists to paint only old stories.
  3. By encouraging artists, photographers, and filmmakers to show the truth. ✓
  4. By teaching people to always follow the rules.

Answer: By encouraging artists, photographers, and filmmakers to show the truth.

From page 9

According to the Art Fact, why does Courbet's work survive forever?

Choices

  1. Because it was very comfortable to look at.
  2. Because it was the most conventional art.
  3. Because he dared to paint the truth. ✓
  4. Because it was unfinished, like Leonardo da Vinci said.

Answer: Because he dared to paint the truth.

From page 10