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16 Masterpieces Of The Past: Test Your Knowledge Of The Events Depicted In These Paintings
Art is a powerful storyteller, capturing the essence of pivotal historical moments in a way that words often can not. Throughout history, artists have immortalized revolutions, triumphs, tragedies and cultural milestones on their canvases.
In these 16 trivia questions, you’ll be shown famous paintings and your challenge is to identify the historical events they represent. From epic battles to revolutionary uprisings, how well can you match the art to the history?
Let’s find out if you’re a true connoisseur of history and art!
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Image credits: Laura Paredis
Trivia • Historical events in art trivia
1. What iconic moment does this painting by Leonardo da Vinci capture?
Jesus announcing his betrayal during the Last Supper
A gathering before Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount
The first communal meal of the disciples
The ascension of Jesus into heaven
2. What historical moment is depicted in Emanuel Leutze's painting?
George Washington crossing the Potomac to attend the Continental Congress
George Washington crossing the Hudson to prepare for the Battle of Long Island
George Washington crossing the Delaware River during the Revolutionary War
George Washington crossing the Delaware to flee British troops
3. What does this painting by Rembrandt depict?
A French militia celebrating a military victory
A Dutch militia company preparing for battle
An honor guard escorting a dignitary through France
A gathering of night watchmen before their nightly patrol
4. What historical moment is depicted in Eugène Delacroix’s painting?
The French Revolution of 1789
The storming of the Bastille
The French resistance during World War II
The July Revolution of 1830
5. What historical moment is captured in Jacques-Louis David's painting?
Napoleon’s daring crossing of the Alps during his campaign into Italy
Napoleon surveying the Alps during peace negotiations with Austria
Napoleon’s strategic retreat through the Swiss Alps after a failed siege
Napoleon’s victory at Austerlitz
6. What event is represented in Pablo Picasso’s painting?
The siege of Madrid during the Spanish Civil War
The bombing of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War
The Spanish-American War
The conquest of Granada
7. What historical event is depicted in this painting?
The Reign of Terror
The first clash between royalist troops and revolutionaries in Paris
The siege of the Tuileries Palace during the French Revolution
The beginning of the French Revolution
8. What historical event is depicted in Francisco Goya’s painting?
The assassination of Spanish nobles by French soldiers
The execution of Spanish civilians by French troops
The arrest of Spanish revolutionaries by Napoleon’s army
A French military crackdown on a group of Spanish resistance fighters
9. What historical moment is depicted in Jacques-Louis David’s painting?
Napoleon’s wedding ceremony
Napoleon receiving a crown from Pope Pius VII during his coronation
Napoleon’s ceremonial ascension to power at the Palace of Versailles
Napoleon crowning himself Emperor of France
10. What historical moment is depicted in John Trumbull’s painting?
The British surrender at Saratoga during the American Revolution
The formal surrender of British forces at Yorktown
The signing of the Treaty of Paris
A treaty negotiation following the Siege of Boston
11. What moment is captured in Jacques-Louis David’s painting?
Plato recounting the trial and death of his mentor
Socrates debating his accusers before the Athenian assembly
Socrates drinking hemlock after being sentenced to death
The final lecture of Socrates to his students
12. What historical event is depicted in John Trumbull’s painting?
The ratification of the U.S. Constitution
The presentation of the Declaration of Independence draft to Congress
The signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776
The adoption of the Articles of Confederation
13. What historical moment is depicted in Benjamin West’s painting?
General Wolfe’s death at the Battle of Quebec
General Braddock’s last stand during the French and Indian War
The British defeat at the Siege of Louisbourg
The Battle of Yorktown
14. What historical event is depicted in J.M.W. Turner’s painting?
The bombing of the Houses of Parliament during the Blitz
The Great Fire of London in 1666
A destructive protest fire set during the Chartist movement
The fire that destroyed the British Parliament in 1834
15. What historical event is depicted in this painting by Jan Matejko?
The Siege of Marienburg during the Polish-Teutonic War
The Battle of Grunwald in 1410
A decisive clash in the Hussite Wars
The Hundred Years’ War
16. What historical event is depicted in Théodore Géricault’s painting?
The wreck of the French frigate Méduse in 1816
A rescue mission following a naval disaster during the Napoleonic Wars
A famine caused by the wreck of a French supply ship
Survivors adrift after a slave ship sank in a storm
What do you think ?
on second thought.... 2 months ago
The Nightwatch by Rembrandt does NOT depict a Dutch militia company preparing for battle. This is wrong. The painting depicts a civil guard that kept the city of Amsterdam safe at night.
Bernd Herbert 2 months ago
@Panda,. you are right, and I think that's why the question under that pic said "iconic moment" and not historic, like for the other pictures
Load More Replies...
on second thought.... 2 months ago
The Nightwatch by Rembrandt does NOT depict a Dutch militia company preparing for battle. This is wrong. The painting depicts a civil guard that kept the city of Amsterdam safe at night.
Bernd Herbert 2 months ago
@Panda,. you are right, and I think that's why the question under that pic said "iconic moment" and not historic, like for the other pictures
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