Welcome to Skill 3: Comparison of Works of Art
In AP Art History, comparing art isn't just about spotting "what's different." It’s about understanding why those differences exist and how they change the way we see the world. Think of it like comparing two different versions of a superhero movie: they might have the same characters, but the director’s choices change the entire vibe and meaning. In this chapter, we will learn how to break down two artworks and explain the deeper connections between them.
Quick Fact: Skill 3 is a major part of your exam. It makes up 11–13% of your Multiple Choice score and is the entire focus of Free Response Question 1 (the Long Essay).
Breaking Down the Comparison Task
When you are asked to "compare," you are looking for similarities and/or differences. However, the AP exam asks you to go further than just listing features. You must explain how these features relate to the meaning or significance of the works.
What You Need to Do:
According to the official syllabus, a successful comparison involves several specific steps:
1. Identify the works (Title, Artist/Culture, Date, or Materials).
2. Describe visual and contextual elements of both works.
3. Explain how they are similar or different in how they convey meaning.
4. Make a claim (a thesis) about the significance of those similarities or differences.
5. Support your claim with specific evidence.
Don’t worry if this seems like a lot! We will break these down step-by-step below.
Section I: Comparison in Multiple Choice
In the Multiple Choice section, you will often see set-based questions. This means you might be shown two images and asked to identify a common theme or a difference in their intended audience (PAA) or materials (MPT).
Common Trap: Students often pick an answer that is true about one work but not the other. Make sure your answer applies to the specific relationship between both images!
Section II: The Comparison Essay (Question 1)
This is the "big one." You have 35 minutes recommended for this 8-point essay. Here is exactly how it works:
1. Choosing Your Works
The exam will provide you with one image of a required work from the Image Set. You then choose a second work to compare it to. You usually have two options:
- Choose from a provided list of 2 to 4 works from the image set (no images shown).
- Choose any other work from the same content area (for example, if the first work is from Content Area 2: Ancient Mediterranean, your second work must be too).
2. The Identifiers
For your chosen work, you must provide two accurate identifiers. These can be:
- Title or Designation (e.g., Doryphoros (Spear Bearer))
- Artist or Culture (e.g., Polykleitos or Ancient Greece)
- Date of Creation (e.g., c. 450–440 bce)
- Materials (e.g., Marble)
Tip: You only need two. If you aren't 100% sure of the exact date, stick to the Title and the Culture!
3. The "How" and "Why" (The Core of the Essay)
The AP readers are looking for you to Explain.
- How: Analyze the relationship or the process (e.g., "How does the use of gold leaf in the Golden Haggadah reflect the status of the owner?").
- Why: Analyze the motivations or reasons (e.g., "Why did the architect of the Pantheon use a dome?").
A Step-by-Step Strategy for Success
If you feel stuck during a comparison, use this simple "V-C-M" formula:
V is for Visual: What do you see? Look at the form and style. Is one work naturalistic (looking like real life) while the other is abstracted? For example, compare the Anavysos Kouros (stiff, stylized) to the Doryphoros (naturalistic, contrapposto).
C is for Context: Why was it made? Where was it kept? Was it for a tomb, a palace, or a public square? For example, the Standard of Ur and the Palette of King Narmer both deal with hierarchy and power, but they come from different cultures (Sumerian vs. Egyptian).
M is for Meaning: This is where you bring it all together. How do the Visual and Contextual choices help the work achieve its Meaning? This is where you make your "defensible claim."
Key Takeaway: A great comparison doesn't just list facts; it uses those facts to support a "big idea" (a claim) about why the two works are being compared in the first place.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. The "List" Method: Don't just write a paragraph about Work A and then a paragraph about Work B without ever connecting them. You must speak about them together!
2. Mis-identifying: Ensure your chosen work actually belongs to the Content Area requested. You can't compare a prehistoric cave painting to a contemporary skyscraper if the prompt asks for works from the Ancient Mediterranean.
3. Ignoring the Prompt: If the prompt asks you to compare how they show authority, don't spend your whole essay talking about materials unless those materials help show authority.
Quick Review: Skill 3 Essentials
Multiple Choice Weight: 11–13%
Free Response Task: Q1 (35 minutes, 8 points)
Required Identifiers: 2 for the student-selected work.
Goal: Describe, Explain, and make a Claim based on visual and contextual evidence.
Standard of Comparison: A required work is paired with another work from the image set or the same content area.
Note: For more on how to analyze single works, see Skill 1: Visual Analysis and Skill 2: Contextual Analysis. To understand how these works fit into larger history, see Skill 4: Artistic Traditions.