Quizology.Online

“There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge.”

— Bertrand Russell

Tag: art

  • Picture This — Answers

    Today’s Answers

    Noire et Blanche, see question three
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Today’s first question is connected to the date, 8 September. The subsequent ones are not date-related but follow a similar theme to the first.

    One

    A controversial photographer and film director (Triumph of the Will) died this day in 2003 at the age of 103. Her association and collaboration with the Nazi regime before and during World War II led to severe reputational damage. Who was she?

    Answer: Leni Riefenstahl.

    Helene Bertha Amalie Riefenstahl (1902–2003) was a German filmmaker, actress, and photographer, active from 1925 to 2002. Notable works include The Victory of Faith, Triumph of the Will, Olympia, and Tiefland. Riefenstahl notably created Nazi propaganda films Triumph of the Will and Olympia in the 1930s. Post-war, her reputation suffered due to her previous association with Hitler. She later focused on photography, releasing Tiefland and photo books on the Nuba peoples of Sudan.

    Two

    Macro photography can be described by what two-word, hyphenated term?

    Answer: Close-up.

    Macro photography, or photomacrography, is extreme close-up photography which reproduces subjects larger than actual size, typically capturing small organisms such as insects.

    Three

    Which Dada and Surrealist photographer’s work from 1926 is pictured at the top of this post?

    Answer: Man Ray (or Emmanuel Radnitzky).

    Man Ray, born Emmanuel Radnitzky, was an American-born, French-naturalised visual artist prominent in the Dada and Surrealist movements. Primarily a painter, he innovated in photography, fashion, and portraiture, notably creating photograms called ‘rayographs’. He spent most of his career in Paris, contributing significantly to modern art.

    Four

    The RolleifleX, a line of high-end cameras, was originally made by which German company?

    Answer: Franke & Heidecke.

    Rolleiflex, renowned for medium format TLR cameras, offered exceptional quality, compact size, and superior optics. Known for Zeiss and Schneider lenses, it featured a semi-automatic film loading mechanism. Accessories enhanced its versatility. Production by DHW Fototechnik ended in 2015 after insolvency, with models remaining sought after by photographers and collectors.

    Child with a toy hand grenade in Central Park, N.Y.C., 1962.
    Image MOMA

    Five

    The 1962 photograph Child with a Toy Hand Grenade in Central Park, NYC was taken by whom?

    Answer: Diane Arbus.

    Diane Arbus, an American photographer, captured diverse subjects in familiar settings. By befriending rather than objectifying them, she expanded acceptable subject matter and achieved rare psychological intensity.

  • Picture This

    Noire et Blanche, see question three
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Today’s first question is connected to the date, 8 September. The subsequent ones are not date-related but follow a similar theme to the first.

    One

    A controversial photographer and film director (Triumph of the Will) died this day in 2003 at the age of 103. Her association and collaboration with the Nazi regime before and during World War II led to severe reputational damage. Who was she?

    Two

    Macro photography can be described by what two-word, hyphenated term?

    Three

    Which Dada and Surrealist photographer’s work from 1926 is pictured at the top of this post?

    Four

    The RolleifleX, a line of high-end cameras, was originally made by which German company?

    Five

    The 1962 photograph Child with a Toy Hand Grenade in Central Park, NYC was taken by whom?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • The Sinners Are Much More Fun — Answers

    Today’s Answers

    The Ecstasy of St. Teresa.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Today’s title could be the antithesis to the answers.

    One

    What martyr, who lived circa AD 255 – c. AD 288, is the patron saint of archery?

    Answer: Sebastian.

    Sebastian, an early Christian martyr, survived arrow wounds after being tied to a post and shot with arrows during the Diocletianic Persecution. He was healed by Irene of Rome but then clubbed to death after warning Diocletian about his sins; he is venerated as the patron of athletics, archery and plagues.

    Two

    This fisherman is known by his first name; he is known by some the ‘First-called’; and his cross forms part of the Union Flag of the United Kingdom. Who is he?

    Answer: Andrew.

    Andrew the Apostle, a fisherman and one of the Twelve Apostles, is titled First-Called in Eastern Orthodox tradition for following Jesus and introducing Simon Peter; the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople is his successor. He is the patron saint of Scotland hence his cross being included in the Union Flag.

    Three

    The third of the Weasley children, Percy, shares his middle name with the first name of a saint who founded the Jesuits (Society of Jesus) in 1534. What is the name they have in common?

    Answer: Ignatius.

    In Harry Potter Percy Ignatius Weasley was the very serious brother of Fred, George, Ron and Ginny. Ignatius of Loyola, born in 1491, was a Basque Catholic saint and founder of the Society of Jesus. Ignatius founded the Jesuit order through vows in Paris and an organisation approved by Pope Paul III. Innovations included a black robe, centralised authority, long probation, obedience to the pope and flexibility for global ministries.

    Four

    An early saint from what is now modern Turkey who was known for genorosity and gift giving. He is amongst others the Patron Saint of Children. This line of poetry may help, ‘’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house’. Who is he?

    Answer: Nicholas.

    St Nicholas, a fourth-century figure from Myra, is a widely honoured minor saint linked to Christmas and patron of children and sailors; gifts are given on 6 December in many countries.

    Five

    Which saint shown above is portrayed as being in seventh heaven?

    Answer: Teresa.

    The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, completed in 1652 by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the white marble altarpiece in Rome’s Cornaro Chapel, depicts Saint Teresa of Ávila swooning in ecstasy beneath an angel with a spear. Some scholars describe the work as showing Teresa in religious ecstasy; others suggest that the work carries sexual implications.

    The Sinners Are Much More Fun

    The is from Billy Joel’s Only The Good Die Young, here is the full verse which ends with it:

    And they say there’s a heaven for those who will wait

    And some say it’s better, but I say it ain’t

    I’d rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints

    The sinners are much more fun

    The sinners are, according to Mr Joel, much more fun than the saints, and S A I N T singular is what should have been leading you today as the initial letters of the answers — Sebastian, Andrew, Ignatius, Nicholas and Teresa.

  • The Sinners Are Much More Fun

    The Ecstasy of St. Teresa.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Today’s title could be the antithesis to the answers.

    One

    What martyr, who lived circa AD 255 – c. AD 288, is the patron saint of archery?

    Two

    This fisherman is known by his first name; he is known by some the ‘First-called’; and his cross forms part of the Union Flag of the United Kingdom. Who is he?

    Three

    The third of the Weasley children, Percy, shares his middle name with the first name of a saint who founded the Jesuits (Society of Jesus) in 1534. What is the name they have in common?

    Four

    An early saint from what is now modern Turkey who was known for genorosity and gift giving. He is amongst others the Patron Saint of Children. This line of poetry may help, ‘’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house’. Who is he?

    Five

    Which saint shown above is portrayed as being in seventh heaven?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Seconds Out: Round Two — Answers

    Here are the answers to today’s questions.

    Uranus.
    Image science.nasa.gov

    As with yesterday’s questions these are not date-related but follow a theme mentioned in the title.

    One

    Who, in 1965, became the second cricket player to hit six sixes in an over, and whose record did he equal?

    Answers: Ravi Shastri; Gary Sobers.

    On 31 August 1968, Sobers became the first man to hit six sixes off a single six-ball over in first-class cricket, off the bowling of Malcolm Nash in Nottinghamshire’s first innings against Glamorgan at St Helen’s in Swansea. Nash, a seam bowler, decided to try his arm at spin bowling, and this achievement was caught on film. On 10 January 1985, Shastri equalled Sobers’ record by hitting six sixes in an over, off the bowling of Baroda’s Tilak Raj.

    Two

    Which planet in our solar system is an ice giant and the second farthest from the Sun?

    Answer: Uranus.

    Uranus, the seventh planet from the Sun, is one of the two ice giants in our solar system, the other being Neptune. Its interior is thought to consist largely of high-pressure water, ammonia and methane. Uranus has the coldest planetary atmosphere in the Solar System, with minimum temperatures of about −224 °C (−371 °F), and an axial tilt of about 97.8°, causing retrograde rotation. It has a dark ring system, 29 known moons and unusually low internal heat. Discovered by William Herschel in 1781, it was visited by Voyager 2 in 1986, and a dedicated Uranus mission remains a major priority for future planetary exploration.

    Three

    The active volcano Popocatépetl is which country’s second-highest peak? 

    Answer: Mexico.

    Popocatépetl is an active stratovolcano on the borders of the Mexican states of Puebla, Morelos and the State of Mexico, reaching 5,393 m (17,694 ft) and linked to Iztaccíhuatl by the Paso de Cortés. It is Mexico’s second-highest mountain after Citlaltépetl (Pico de Orizaba) at 5,636 m (18,491 ft). Its summit glaciers largely disappeared by 2001 owing to a combination of volcanic activity and climatic warming, and its eruptions primarily produce magnesium-rich andesite and dacite.

    Four

    No Need to Argue (1994) was what band’s second album?

    Answer: The Cranberries.

    No Need to Argue, released on 3 October 1994 via Island Records, is the Cranberries’ best-selling album with over 17 million copies sold by 2014. It includes “Zombie” and is darker than their debut.

    Five

    Jacqueline Roque was the muse and second wife, from 1961, of which artist? 

    Answer: Pablo Picasso.

    Jacqueline Picasso, also known as Jacqueline Roque, Pablo Picasso’s muse and second wife. Their marriage spanned 12 years until his death, during which he produced more than 400 portraits of her—a greater number than for any other partner.

  • Seconds Out: Round Two

    See question 2.
    Image science.nasa.gov

    As with yesterday’s questions these are not date-related but follow a theme mentioned in the title.

    One

    Who, in 1965, became the second cricket player to hit six sixes in an over, and whose record did he equal?

    Two

    Which planet in our solar system is an ice giant and the second farthest from the Sun?

    Three

    The active volcano Popocatépetl is which country’s second-highest peak? 

    Four

    No Need to Argue (1994) was what band’s second album?

    Five

    Jacqueline Roque was the muse and second wife, from 1961, of which artist? 

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Shaken, Not Stirred — Answers

    Here are the answers to today’s questions.

    Sean Connery and Ian Fleming on the set of Dr. No (1962).
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    Today’s questions all relate to June 28th.

    One

    James Bond Ian Fleming, creator of the James Bond books, was born in 1908. What was the first James Bond novel; which U.S. president included a Bond novel in his ten favourites, and which was it? 

    Answer: Casino Royale; President John F. Kennedy and From Russia With Love.

    Ian Fleming, born in 1908, was a British suspense-fiction novelist and former naval intelligence officer who created the iconic British secret agent James Bond, 007. His first Bond novel, Casino Royale (1953), launched a globally popular series known for espionage and action. From Russia With Love, the fifth Bond novel, was famously endorsed by John F. Kennedy in 1961 in a list of his ten favourite books. 

    Two

    In 1999, after two decades of restoration, a Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece was unveiled to the public. Located within the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, this work is known as what, and what type of artwork is it?

    Answer: Last Supper; Mural.

    Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper (1495-1498) is a mural in Milan’s Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. It depicts Jesus announcing his betrayal and instituting the Eucharist. The apostles’ dramatic reactions convey intense emotion. Commissioned by Ludovico Sforza, the original materials caused significant deterioration over time.

    Three

    In what venue was a peace treaty signed on 28 June 1919? 

    Answer: Palace of Versailles

    The Palace of Versailles, built by King Louis XIV, is located 19 km (12 mi) west of Paris, France. The Hall of Mirrors, where the treaty was signed, is the largest room in the palace. Seventeen mirror arches (each containing 21 mirrors and thus totalling 357 mirrors in the hall) face 17 windows that overlook the palace gardens.

    Four

    Mercedes-Benz traces its origins to the merger of two companies by two men. Could you please identify these men and the decade that this happened?

    Answer: Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz; 1920s.

    Mercedes-Benz originated from Carl Benz’s 1886 internal combustion engine and Gottlieb Daimler’s petrol-engine stagecoach. Emil Jellinek marketed the 1901 Mercedes 35 hp, naming it after his daughter. The brand was officially established on 28 June 1926 after Daimler and Benz’s companies merged, forming Daimler-Benz.

    Five

    Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom’s coronation took place on this day. In what decade did it take place, and in what ecclesiastical building did the ceremony take place?

    Answer: 1830s; Westminster Abbey.

    Queen Victoria’s coronation occurred on 28 June 1838 at Westminster Abbey, following a public procession from Buckingham Palace. Planned by Lord Melbourne, it cost £70,000 and attracted 400,000 visitors. Despite internal mishaps, the event was successful, with fairs and displays in Hyde and Green Parks, amid some Radical opposition.

  • Shaken, Not Stirred

    Sean Connery and Ian Fleming.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    Today’s questions all relate to June 28th.

    One

    James Bond Ian Fleming, creator of the James Bond books, was born in 1908. What was the first James Bond novel; which U.S. president included a Bond novel in his ten favourites, and which was it? 

    Two

    In 1999, after two decades of restoration, a Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece was unveiled to the public. Located within the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, this work is known as what? What type of artwork is it?

    Three

    In what venue was a peace treaty signed on 28 June 1919? 

    Four

    Mercedes-Benz traces its origins to the merger of two companies by two men. Could you please identify these men and the decade that this happened?

    Five

    Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom’s coronation took place on this day. In what decade did it take place, and in what ecclesiastical building did the ceremony take place?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Art for Art’s Sake — Answers

    Here are the answers to today’s questions.

    Waterfall © MC Escher 1961.
    Image MyArtBroker.com

    These questions are all about people from the creative arts who were born on today’s date, 17 June.

    One

    Which Dutch artist, born 1898, created the lithograph Waterfall shown above? 

    Answer: M.C. Escher.

    Waterfall is a stunning visual representation of the concept of perpetual motion, depicting a never-ending cascade of water that flows uphill and back into itself. The piece combines elements of mathematics, physics, and art to create a seamless illusion of movement and transformation, inviting the viewer to contemplate the nature of change and the eternal cycle of life.
    — MyArtBroker.com

    Two

    Born in 1882, this composer was commissioned to write three ballets for the Ballets Russes’ Paris seasons: The Firebird (1910), Petrushka (1911), and The Rite of Spring (1913). Who is the composer?

    Answer: Igor Stravinsky.

    Igor Stravinsky (1882–1971) was a Russian composer with French and American citizenship, pivotal in modernist music. His career spanned three periods: Russian, neoclassical, and serial. Known for ballets like The Rite of Spring, he influenced composers like Copland and Glass. Stravinsky died in New York City, leaving six memoirs.

    Three

    Barry Manilow, who was born in 1943, won the Grammy for Song of the Year in 1977 for a Bruce Johnston-written song. What song did Manilow ironically sing to win this award?

    Answer: I Write the Songs.

    Barry Manilow won a Grammy in 1977 for I Write the Songs — which, ironically, he did not write — written by Bruce Johnston. Manilow has produced, arranged, and performed for musicals, films, and commercials, including for McDonald’s and Pepsi. Nominated for 15 Grammy Awards, winning once, he has produced Grammy-nominated albums for Bette Midler and others. As a solo artist, he has sold over 85 million records globally.

    Four

    This English filmmaker, born 1936, received the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival for both The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006) and I, Daniel Blake (2016). He is also known for Cathy Come Home (1966) and Kes (1969). Who is this filmmaker?

    Answer: Ken Loach.

    Ken Loach is a British director known for his social realism films. Initially studying law at Oxford, he transitioned to acting and directing, notably for the BBC. His 1966 docudrama Cathy Come Home highlighted homelessness. Loach’s acclaimed films include Kes, Hidden Agenda (1990), The Wind That Shakes the Barley and I, Daniel Blake, the latter two winning the Palme d’Or. He also directed documentaries like The Spirit of ’45 (2013) and received the Praemium Imperiale in 2003.

    Five

    Born in California in 1987, this American rapper and songwriter received the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music, and has, at the time of writing, won 27 Grammys. Who is this musician?

    Answer: Kendrick Lamar.

    Kendrick Lamar, born in 1987, is a renowned American rapper known for his introspective lyrics and social commentary. He signed with TDE in 2005, achieving fame with albums like Good Kid, M.A.A.D City and To Pimp a Butterfly. Lamar has won 27 Grammys, headlined the Super Bowl, and co-founded PGLang.

  • Art for Art’s Sake

    Waterfall, 1961.
    Image MyArtBroker.com

    These questions are all about people from the creative arts who were born on today’s date, 17 June.

    One

    Which Dutch artist, born 1898, created the lithograph Waterfall shown above? 

    Two

    Born in 1882, this composer was commissioned to write three ballets for the Ballets Russes’ Paris seasons: The Firebird (1910), Petrushka (1911), and The Rite of Spring (1913). Who is the composer?

    Three

    Barry Manilow, who was born in 1943, won the Grammy for Song of the Year in 1977 for a Bruce Johnston-written song. What song did Manilow ironically sing to win this award?

    Four

    This English filmmaker, born 1936, received the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival for both The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006) and I, Daniel Blake (2016). He is also known for Cathy Come Home (1966) and Kes (1969). Who is this filmmaker?

    Five

    Born in California in 1987, this American rapper and songwriter received the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music, and has, at the time of writing, won 27 Grammys. Who is this musician?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.