ACT
Practice Test 23

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HUMANITIES: Artistic Styles Explored

Many of us have looked at a great work of art and wondered how a person is able to paint or draw something so lifelike and emotive. We see the masterpieces of painters such as Monet or Picasso and

Line 5 wonder what stirred these men to put brush to canvas so delicately. Most of an artist’s greatness lies in his or her natural ability and practice of technique, but other factors affect the work an artist produces. The trained eye knows that even the smallest of details can have a
10 powerful impact on the meaning of an artist’s work. A formal style is among the most apparent traits of a work of art. One of the first popular styles was known as Realism. Paintings from this school focused on depicting real life unembellished with fanciful notions

15 or feelings. Realism traces its roots to ancient Rome, where artists attempted to depict their leaders in ways that did not glamorize or gloss over unattractive physical attributes. This approach became unpopular after a while for many different reasons, but was revived

20 during the Renaissance. For the next several centuries, Western artists attempted to portray life as realistically as possible. In the late 19th century, a rebellion against Realism arose in response to the rigidity and staleness some

25 saw in the style. As a result, many artists began painting in the Impressionist style, which allowed for more creativity. Monet and Manet, two prominent painters, used this style of painting, characterized by its subtle use of light and color to create a dreamlike quality in
30 scenes of the natural world. Impressionist painters use small brush strokes with unmixed primary colors to simulate reflected light. The result is a picture that appears hazy, leaving a general “impression” upon the viewer. The large number

35 of young painters who took up Impressionism resulted in it being a very vigorous and contentious school of thought. Impressionistic style is still popular with both art collectors and museum-goers. Several new styles grew out of the Impressionist

40 movement that actually rejected all or some of the beliefs held by Impressionists. Some of these styles became schools of thought in their own right, while others simply existed as one artist’s trademark way of painting. Post-Impressionism is one example of a style

45 that grew out of the naturalistic form of Impressionism. Post-impressionism uses form and color to reflect art in a more personal and subjective way than did its predecessor. Another style that grew out of Impressionism was

50 Pointillism. Georges Seurat led this movement, which emphasized the application of paint in small dots and brush strokes to create the effect of blending and luminosity. Vincent Van Gogh, a well-known artist, adapted

55 Impressionism to his own unique method. Although a real school of thought never followed his style of painting, he is nonetheless regarded as a brilliant painter for his use of bold, bright colors and even larger and bolder brush strokes.

60 Many other styles of painting evolved from the first descendants of Impressionism. Cubism, Abstract Art, Expressionism, Abstract Expressionism, Modernism, and a host of other styles have all expanded the range of acceptable artistic expression and allowed

65 artists to explore new and creative ways in which to express themselves and their points of view. Each style has distinct ways of interpreting the world and depicting it in art. Although some have similarities, they all are unique and distinguishable from one another. For
70 example, one tableau may reflect the world through rigid geometric figures while another may show life in smooth black curves. One consequence of the spread of different artistic styles is the wide variety of art people enjoy today.

75 While some favor one style over another, it is important that these styles coexist, because a variety of techniques and opinions is the ideal environment for the evolution of art.

As it is used in line 3, the word emotive most nearly means:

  • Solution

    The best answer is B. The passage asks “how a person is able to paint or draw something so lifelike and emotive,” and marvels at “what stirred these men to put the brush to the canvas so delicately.” “Emotive” means “causing strong feelings,” which is also a synonym for “stirring.” This is the most logical choice based on the context of the passage.

The author mentions all of the following as adaptations of Impressionism EXCEPT:

  • Solution

    The best answer is H. Realism is noted in the passage as one of the first formal styles of art, preceding Impressionism. The passage later states that among the styles of painting evolving from Impressionism were “Cubism, Abstract Art, Expressionism, Abstract Expressionism, Modernism, and a host of other styles ...” Realism is the only style of art not mentioned in this list.

The author suggests that Realists were most interested in depicting:

  • Solution

    The best answer is B. As stated in the passage, Realist painters “focused on depicting real life unembellished with fanciful notions or feelings.” This correlates with answer choice B. Answer choice C may appear to be correct because the passage makes note of unattractive physical attributes. However, the passage simply states that artists simply did not “gloss over” unattractive physical attributes of their subjects; artists portrayed their subjects as they actually looked. Unattractive features were not the focus of Realist artists.

The main emphasis of the second paragraph (lines 11–22) regarding the Realist approach is that:

  • Solution

    The best answer is G. The passage clearly states that though Realism fell out of favor for a while, it was “revived during the Renaissance,” and remained popular for several centuries thereafter. This best supports answer choice G. The other answer choices are not supported by details found in the second paragraph.

Which of the following best states the main point of the passage?

  • Solution

    The best answer is B. The passage begins with one of the first popular formal styles of art. The passage then goes on to describe different styles of art that have evolved over time. This best supports answer choice B. Answer choice A is incorrect because the passage does not discuss the changing world and how painters related to it. Answer choice C is incorrect because the passage only mentions the popularity of Realism falling and rising again; the passage does not discuss the popularity of other styles of painting. Answer choice D is incorrect because the passage does not discuss artists adapting to popular demand.

As it is used in line 43, the phrase “artist’s trademark” most nearly means:

  • Solution

    The best answer is J. The passage states that while some styles of art that grew out of Impressionism became their own schools of thought, others were simply an “artist’s trademark way of painting.” In this context, speaking of styles of art, it makes the most sense that an “artist’s trademark” would be his or her own “unique style.” Although answer choice F, “prime example,” may appear to be correct, the author is discussing different styles of art, not just one specific piece of art. Answer choices G and H do not make sense in the context of the passage

The passage suggests that Impressionist painters:

  • Solution

    The best answer is A. As stated in the passage, the Impressionist movement was a “rebellion against Realism,” which came as a result of “the rigidity and staleness some saw in the style.” The rigidity and staleness are referring to the Realist style of painting, not the Impressionist style of painting. Therefore, answer choice A is correct.

The author claims that Impressionism:

  • Solution

    The best answer is H. The author lists many styles that evolved from Impressionism; these details correlate best with answer choice H. Answer choice F is incorrect because Impressionism greatly expanded the range of artistic expression through the many styles of art that developed as a result of the movement. Answer choice G is incorrect because Realism was a precursor to Impressionism, not vice versa. Likewise, answer choice J is incorrect because Abstract Art and Cubism were predecessors of Impressionism, not vice versa.

The author of the passage indicates that PostImpressionism, as compared to Impressionism, is:

  • Solution

    The best answer is A. The passage states that “Postimpressionism uses form and color to reflect art in a more personal and subjective way than did its predecessor.” This correlates best with answer choice A. The other answer choices are not mentioned in the passage as describing PostImpressionism in comparison to Impressionism.

According to the passage, artists rebeled against Realism because:

  • Solution

    The best answer is J. As stated in the passage, “a rebellion against Realism arose in response to the rigidity and staleness some saw in the style.” The author goes on to say that many artists began to paint in the Impressionist style because it “allowed for more creativity.” These facts best support answer choice J. Although Realism could trace its roots to ancient Rome—answer choice G— this was not the reason that artists rebelled against Realism.

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