AP Art History- Understanding Image 67

What Is AP Art History Image 67?

If you're taking AP Art History, you've probably realized that memorizing 250 artworks is no small feat. Image 67 is one of those required works you need to know inside and out. Most students encounter it as part of the Africa content area, and it's a piece that rewards careful study.

The exact artwork changes slightly as the College Board updates its curriculum, but the analysis skills remain the same. This guide gives you everything you need to understand and discuss Image 67 effectively on the exam.

How to Approach Any AP Art History Image

Don't just memorize facts. The AP exam tests your ability to analyze and connect artworks, not regurgitate bullet points. Here's what works:

• Know the formal elements: line, shape, form, space, color, texture, value
• Understand the function: why was this piece made?
• Identify the historical context: when, where, who commissioned it
• Connect it to bigger themes: religion, politics, identity, power
• Compare it to other works: similar techniques, different cultures

Key Questions to Ask About Image 67

When you study this artwork, answer these questions directly:

Formal Analysis

What do you see? Describe the composition, materials, scale, and technique. Is it two-dimensional or three-dimensional? What catches your eye first? Why?

Function and Context

Who made this and why? What was its original purpose? Was it religious, political, decorative, or ceremonial? Understanding function changes everything about how you interpret the piece.

Historical Significance

What was happening in this culture during this time period? How does the artwork reflect or challenge the values of its era? Don't isolate the piece from history.

Common Themes You'll Encounter

Most AP Art History images share recurring themes. When you study Image 67, look for:

• Power and authority: Does the piece display status or dominance?
• Religious expression: Is it devotional, spiritual, or mythological?
• Identity and community: Does it represent a group, gender, or social role?
• Innovation and tradition: Does it show new techniques or honor established methods?

Study Strategy That Actually Works

Most students use flashcards wrong. Stop trying to memorize every fact separately. Instead:

• Group related images: Compare works from the same culture or time period
• Create your own analysis: Write descriptions in your own words, not copying textbook language
• Practice identification: Look at details and guess the artwork before checking the title
• Make connections: How does Image 67 relate to other works you've studied?

What Usually Appears in This Position

Based on the current AP Art History curriculum, Image 67 typically falls within African artistic traditions. These works often feature:

• Natural materials and organic forms
• Connection to spiritual or ancestral practices
• Emphasis on the human figure, often abstracted
• Materials like wood, bronze, terracotta, or fiber

African art in this curriculum section demonstrates incredible diversity. Don't assume all works look the same—they range from naturalistic to highly stylized.

How to Write About Image 67 on the Exam

The free-response section requires you to analyze unfamiliar images using art historical vocabulary. Here's the approach:

Step 1: Observe

Start with what you actually see. Describe forms, colors, composition, and scale without jumping to conclusions.

Step 2: Analyze

Use formal terms. Discuss how elements like line, shape, and space create meaning. Is the composition balanced or asymmetrical? What textures do you notice?

Step 3: Hypothesize

Based on your observations, what can you infer about function or meaning? Connect visual evidence to your art historical knowledge.

Step 4: Contextualize

Place the work within its cultural and historical context. Compare it to works you know. What traditions does it draw from or challenge?

Common Mistakes Students Make

• Describing instead of analyzing: Don't just say what you see—explain how visual choices create meaning
• Ignoring function: A sculpture meant for ritual use is interpreted differently than one made for display
• Forgetting comparisons: The exam rewards students who connect works across cultures and time periods
• Over-relying on memorization: You need analysis skills, not just recall

Quick Reference Checklist

Before exam day, make sure you can answer these about Image 67:

• Title, artist/culture, date, medium, dimensions
• Original location and intended function
• Key formal elements and how they support meaning
• Historical or cultural context
• At least one comparison to another artwork you've studied

Final Advice

Don't waste time memorizing every tiny detail about every image. Focus on understanding why artworks look the way they do and what function they served. The College Board designed the exam to test analysis, not trivia knowledge.

If you understand how to look at art—really look at it—you can handle any image they throw at you, including the ones you've never seen before.