Art Terms - 'J' and 'K' Trivia Quiz

Answer: Art Nouveau

L'Art Nouveau is known by several names, Jugendstil in Germany, Modernista in Spain and Modern Style in Britain. The name L'Art Nouveau is taken from a gallery opened by Siegfried Bing in 1895 in Paris, one of the movement's leading advocates.

Answer: Junk

This term was first used by Lawrence Alloway, British art critic and sculptor, to the works of these artists who constructed their pieces from various rubbish they found appealing. The inspiration for the Junk Artists of the 50s might have been Kurt Schwitters who also employed refuse to create his many collages beginning in 1918.

Answer: James I

This period, which lasted roughly from 1603-1625 (the reign period of King James), is named for the Latin version of King James I's name, Jacob. This is not to be confused with 'Jacobethan', a style which combines elements of both Jacobean and Elizabethan styles!

Answer: Juvenilia

Juvenilia is not necessarily to be confused with children's art, it is a later stage in the artistic development.

Answer: Jamb

Some jambs in medieval churches are adorned with figures (called 'jamb' or 'column' figures), but most jambs are the boring kind that you see every day at the sides of your door!

Answer: Kinetic Art

The word 'kinetic' is from the Greek 'kinesis' which means movement. Calder's 'Mobiles' are the most famous examples but there are many other great styles of Kinetic Art in the modern era, some that don't even really move...but appear to move, like Op Art pieces (optical illusions).

Answer: Korai

The singular form 'kore' means 'girl' in Greek. The male version of a Kore figures is called a Kouros, or Kouroi in plural form. These figures were usually made from marble and were draped with a chiton, the typical clothing of the time.

Answer: Kunstkammer

A 'Kunstkammer' means literally an 'art chamber', while 'Kunstkabinette' refers to an 'art cabinet'. The term Kunstkammerstuck was used later on to classify any objects of art that might be kept in a Kunstkammer. These were not confined to Germany or even northern Europe, they are to be found in other parts of Europe as well.

Answer: Krater

A krater (or crater) was usually decorated with scenes of merrymaking, which makes sense when we consider that they were used specifically at banquets and other festive social occasions.

Answer: Cheesy

There are many examples and forms of kitsch in every popular culture, just look up at someone's fireplace mantle...if you find toys from a McDonald's Happy meal, bowling trophies or any other tawdry and/or gaudy tidbits, you're looking at kitsch. Velvet paintings of Elvis also count. Starting in the 60s pop artists began experimenting with kitsch for their fine arts pieces, much to the chagrin of art critics everywhere, and some artists like Jeff Koons (not too fond of his work) and Claes Oldenburg (quite fond of his!) have made a living off of this movement. Coming up next? An 'L' quiz of course! Also, please give my two Asian 'K' quizzes a try...they should be fun.