The Art of Romare Bearden — Quiz

Instructions: Answer all questions based on what you learned about Romare Bearden.

Multiple Choice

1. Where was Romare Bearden born?
A) Harlem, New York
B) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
C) Charlotte, North Carolina
D) St. Martin, the Caribbean

2. What is Romare Bearden most famous for creating?
A) Sculptures
B) Collages
C) Record albums
D) Photographs

3. What nickname did Bearden's friends call him?
A) Romie
B) Bear
C) RB
D) Duke

4. Which of these was NOT one of Bearden's cats?
A) Gypo
B) Tuttle
C) Mikie
D) Ellington

5. What career did Bearden have after graduating from college, before becoming a famous artist?
A) Teacher
B) Social worker
C) Journalist
D) Musician

6. Bearden's studio was located above which famous Harlem landmark for sixteen years?
A) The Cotton Club
B) The Apollo Theatre
C) The Savoy Ballroom
D) Carnegie Hall

7. Which musical genres particularly influenced Bearden's art and subject matter?
A) Classical and opera
B) Blues and jazz
C) Rock and roll
D) Folk and country

8. One writer described Bearden's collages using which phrase?
A) "Modern realism"
B) "Patchwork cubism"
C) "Abstract folklore"
D) "Urban expressionism"

Short Answer

9. Name at least three places that were important to Bearden's life and appeared in his paintings.

10. Besides collage, name at least two other artistic techniques or forms Bearden worked in.

11. According to the resource, what is "the essence of Bearden's contribution" to art? Explain in your own words.

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Answer Key

1. C) Charlotte, North Carolina
2. B) Collages
3. A) Romie
4. D) Ellington
5. B) Social worker
6. B) The Apollo Theatre
7. B) Blues and jazz
8. B) "Patchwork cubism"
9. Any three of: Rural North Carolina, Pittsburgh, Harlem (New York), St. Martin (the Caribbean), Paris.
10. Any two of: watercolor, gouache, oils, edition prints, monotypes, murals, sculpture (one assemblage).
11. Bearden's art joins the imagery of black life and circumstance to universally understood experience — combining African-American subject matter with themes everyone can relate to.