2023

AP Art History
®

Sample Student Responses

and Scoring Commentary

Inside:

Free-Response Question 2
R Scoring Guidelines
R Student Samples
R Scoring Commentary

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AP® Art History 2023 Scoring Guidelines

Question 2: Long Essay: Visual/Contextual Analysis 6 points

General Scoring Notes

• Except where otherwise noted, each point of the rubric is earned independently. For instance, a student could earn one or two points for
evidence (Row C) or earn the point for analysis and reasoning (Row D) without earning a point for claim or thesis (Row B).
• Accuracy: The components of this rubric each require that students demonstrate art historically defensible content knowledge. Given the timed
nature of the exam, a response may contain errors that do not detract from its overall quality, provided the art historical content used to
advance the argument is accurate.
• Clarity: Exam essays should be considered first drafts and thus may contain grammatical errors. Those errors will not be counted against a
student unless they obscure the successful demonstration of art historical content knowledge and skills described in the rubric.

Throughout history, artists have created works of art that represent important members of society in order to honor them.

Select and completely identify one of the objects from the list below or any other relevant work from Africa (1100–1980 CE) that was created to honor
an important individual.

Explain how the object chosen honors a specific important member of the African society in which it was created.

In your response, you should do the following:

• Provide two accurate identifiers for the work of art you have selected.
• Respond to the prompt with an art historically defensible claim or thesis that establishes a line of reasoning.
• Support your claim with at least two examples of relevant visual and/or contextual evidence.
• Explain how the evidence supports the claim.
• Corroborate or qualify your claim by explaining relevant connections, providing nuance, or considering diverse views.

When identifying the work you select, you should try to include all of the following identifiers: title or designation, artist, culture of origin, date of
creation, and materials. You will earn credit for the identification if you provide at least two accurate identifiers, but you will not be penalized if any
additional identifiers you provide are inaccurate. If you select a work from the list below, you must include at least two accurate identifiers beyond
those that are given.

Object 1: Ndop (portrait figure) of King Mishe miShyaang maMbul

Object 2: Wall plaque from Oba’s palace
Object 3: Portrait Mask (Mblo)

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AP® Art History 2023 Scoring Guidelines

Reporting
Scoring Criteria
Category
A 0 points 1 point
Identification Provides one or no accurate identifiers. Provides two accurate identifiers for selected work of art.
(0–1 points)
Decision Rules and Scoring Notes
Object 1 Object 2 Object 3
Ndop (portrait figure) of King Mishe Wall plaque from the Oba’s palace Portrait Mask (Mblo)
miShyaang maMbul

Examples that earn this point include the Examples that earn this point include the Examples that earn this point include the
following (two required): following (two required): following (two required):
• Date: 18th century (c. 1760–1780 CE) • Date: 16th century CE • Date: Early 20th century CE
• Culture/Style/Period: Kuba Peoples • Culture/Style/Period: Edo Peoples • Culture/Style/Period: Baule Peoples
• Location: Democratic Republic of • Location: Kingdom of Benin or Nigeria • Location: Cote d’Ivoire
Congo, or Congo • Materials: Cast brass or bronze • Materials: Wood and pigment
• Materials: Wood • Artist: Owie Kimou

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AP® Art History 2023 Scoring Guidelines

Reporting
Scoring Criteria
Category
B 0 points 1 point
Claim/Thesis Rephrases or restates the prompt. Provides an art historically defensible claim or thesis that establishes a line
OR of reasoning.
(0–1 points)
Makes a claim that is not defensible.

Decision Rules and Scoring Notes

The response must make an art historically defensible claim or thesis that responds to the prompt rather than merely restating or rephrasing the prompt.
A claim or thesis must consist of one or more sentences located in one place that can be anywhere in the response.
A claim or thesis that meets the criteria can be awarded the point whether or not the rest of the response successfully supports that line of reasoning.

Object 1 Object 2 Object 3

Ndop (portrait figure) of King Mishe miShyaang Wall plaque from the Oba’s palace Portrait Mask (Mblo)
maMbul
Examples that earn this point include Examples that earn this point include Examples that earn this point include
the following: the following: the following:
• Ndop were commissioned by individual Kuba • Benin kingship is considered hereditary and • The mask’s features represent idealized traits
leaders to record their reigns for posterity. sacred, so artists created plaques to honor of a person who was celebrated in society.
• Leaders chose individual motifs that the ruling king, his family, and his ancestors. • This Mblo mask was created to honor Moya
served to identify them in these • The object is intended to convey the Yanso, who was revered by Baule society as a
commemorative sculptures. importance of the Oba, his reign, and great dancer.
• The work expresses the connection his accomplishments. • The stylized physical appearance and facial
between spiritual and political leadership in • The plaque’s features represent the idealized features depicted in the mask are intended to
their society. traits and authority of a king. honor Moyo Yanso.
• The Ndop’s features represent the idealized
traits and authority of the king.

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AP® Art History 2023 Scoring Guidelines

Reporting
Scoring Criteria
Category
C 0 points 1 point 2 points
Evidence Does not meet the criteria for one point. Provides one specific example of visual OR contextual Provides two specific examples of visual and/or
(0–2 points) evidence relevant to the selected work of art and the contextual evidence relevant to the selected work
topic of the prompt. of art and the topic of the prompt.

Decision Rules and Scoring Notes

The evidence provided must be accurate, relevant, and art historically defensible.

Object 1 Object 2 Object 3

Ndop (portrait figure) of King Mishe miShyaang Wall plaque from the Oba’s palace Portrait Mask (Mblo)
maMbul
Examples that earn a point include the following: Examples that earn a point include the following: Examples that earn a point include the following:

VISUAL VISUAL VISUAL

• The figure wears a crown. • The plaque features a symmetrical, The Mblo mask’s features include:
• The ruler is depicted with a high, hierarchical composition centered on the • A high forehead.
rounded forehead. king (Oba). • Arched brows.
• The subject is depicted with a calm facial • The Oba wears an elaborate headdress, • Heavy-lidded, downcast eyes.
expression and closed eyes. multistrand coral necklace, and coral and • A narrow, elongated triangular nose.
• The body is carved smoothly and is agate bracelets and anklets. • A small open geometric mouth.
smaller in scale than the head. • The ruler is shown on a horse. • Stylized, elongated faces.
• The king is depicted with attributes of • The leader is represented as a larger-than- • Ornamental extensions that rise above
his rank (e.g., staff, belt, armbands, life figure who dwarfs the horse he rides. the head.
and bracelets). • The king is disproportionately large • Raised areas to indicate facial scarification.
• The figure is shown seated cross-legged compared to his attendants. • Textural and linear treatment of the hair.
on a raised platform. • The two largest attendants hold shields
• The figure’s head, shoulders, and over the king’s head. CONTEXTUAL
stomach are rounded; the collarbones • Smaller figures hover above the • The mask is performed by a dancer in a
are well-defined. King’s head. cloth costume.
• The head is one-third of the sculpture’s • The heads of the various figures • Mblo parodies and dances are referred to
height. are enlarged. as Gbagba.
• The king’s chosen geometric motif pattern • The plaque shows multiple figures in the • When not in use, Mblo masks are kept out
and emblem (ibol) are sculpted in court who would serve the Oba. of sight.
prominent relief on the front of each base. • The mask was part of a secular
CONTEXTUAL masquerade in the village of Kami in the
CONTEXTUAL • The Oba wears attributes of kingship (coral early 1900s.
• The work is carved from a hard wood, bead strands and headdress). • The masks were accompanied by the
which is culturally valued. • The shields protecting the Oba from the honoree, or a representative chosen by
• The sculpture’s surface was burnished and sun indicate honored or royal status. the person depicted, as an indication of
frequently anointed with palm oil to give her valued status in Baule society.
it a dark, glossy surface.

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AP® Art History 2023 Scoring Guidelines

• Sculptors created an idealized • The technical and artistic execution of the • The masks were danced by men related to
representation of a ruler using Benin plaque would have required the work the honoree, typically a spouse or a son.
standardized sculptural traditions (e.g., of highly skilled artists. • The half-slit eyes and high forehead
expression on the face, the position of the • The Benin plaque is made from cast symbolize modesty and wisdom
body, regalia). brass/bronze, a material reserved respectively, both of which are highly
• Women tended the statues by rubbing for royalty. desired characteristics of Baule women.
them with oil to produce a glowing • The relief plaque is one of many plaques • The nasolabial fold (the line between the
reddish surface. believed to have adorned the pillars of the sides of the nose to the outsides of the
• The sculpture would have been kept Benin royal residence. mouth) and the beard-like projecting
in a shrine in the women’s quarters of • In their original context, such plaques likely triangular patterns extending from
the palace. recounted the dynastical history/lineage of the ears to the chin suggest age
• The Ndop is placed near a king to absorb the Oba. and wisdom, traits acquired by the
his power. • The medium, brass or bronze, was an item mask’s honoree through life and
• There are specific attributes that link each acquired principally through trade. professional experience.
Ndop to named individuals. • The rosettes decorating the background of • The triangular brass elements enhance
• All Ndop sculptures feature a geometric the plaque indicate the plaque might also the mask’s appearance when danced in
motif and an emblem (ibol) as identifying be influenced by Portuguese trade items. the sunlight, indicating the honoree’s
symbols of the king, chosen by him when good health.
he was installed as a leader. • The subject of this mask, Moya Yanso, was
• The drum in this work identifies Mishe revered as a great performing artist and
miShyaang maMbul’s reign. dancer by Baule society.
• Kuba kings wore belts with two knots, • The mask of Moya Yanso was danced by
indicating they were the supreme her husband and then by her sons to
legislators of the kingdom. honor her achievements.
• The cowrie shells on the belt function as • Until she was no longer physically able to
currency, jewelry, and religious travel, Moya Yanso accompanied the mask
accessories in some African societies. when it was performed to honor her
• The king in Kuba society was responsible professional accomplishments.
for the order of the community so by
sitting on a raised platform, he does not
touch the soil, which was taboo and
would undermine cultural order.
• Ndop served as historical markers of
different reigns within the culture’s
oral history.

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AP® Art History 2023 Scoring Guidelines

Reporting
Scoring Criteria
Category
D 0 points 1 point
Analysis Does not meet the criteria for one point. Explains how the visual and/or contextual evidence provided supports
and the argument.
Reasoning
(0–1 points) Decision Rules and Scoring Notes
The response must explain the relationship between the evidence provided and an argument about the prompt.
Object 1 Object 2 Object 3
Ndop (portrait figure) of King Mishe miShyaang Wall plaque from the Oba’s palace Portrait Mask (Mblo)
maMbul
Examples that earn this point include Examples that earn this point include Examples that earn this point include
the following: the following: the following:
• The physical depiction of the figure represents • The figures’ heads are enlarged for emphasis • Portrait masks have stylistic attributes that carry
the ideal of a king—but not an individual king. since Benin people considered the head the cultural meaning about expectations for a good,
• The use of conventional or standardized facial seat of a person’s will and power. honorable, respected, and beautiful person in
features in the statue represents the valued • The stylistic characteristics used to depict the Baule society.
ideals and traits of a ruler. Oba are indicative of his power and ability to • The performance of Mblo masks reaffirmed
• The presence of the ibol in the work identifies rule the Benin Kingdom. community-held ideals of human beauty and artistic
the specific ruler represented in the sculpture. • The use of hierarchical scale indicates the accomplishment for the audience.
• Ndop document a chronological lineage of varying importance of the figures represented
rulers maintained through the visual symbols on the plaque.
established by each king. • The symmetrical composition indicates the
Oba’s central position in Benin culture.
• The presence of the plaque at the royal
courts alongside other plaques depicting
other rulers and ancestors established the
Oba’s hereditary kingship and his power
and authority.
• The wealth of the Oba is emphasized through
coral and by the horse, which were both
acquired through trade and only owned by
individuals of elite status.
• Elements of the plaque that underscored
trade demonstrated the wealth, status, and
international respect of the Oba.

© 2023 College Board

AP® Art History 2023 Scoring Guidelines

Reporting
Scoring Criteria
Category
E 0 points 1 point
Complexity Does not meet the criteria for one point. Demonstrates a complex understanding of the prompt, using evidence to corroborate,
(0–1 points) qualify, or modify a claim that addresses the prompt.

Decision Rules and Scoring Notes

The response may demonstrate a complex understanding in a variety of ways, such as:
• Explaining relevant and insightful connections between the evidence and the claim
• Confirming the validity of a claim by corroborating multiple perspectives
• Explaining nuance of an issue by analyzing multiple variables
• Qualifying or modifying a claim by considering diverse or alternative views or evidence
This complex understanding must be developed in the response and consist of more than a phrase or reference.
Object 1 Object 2 Object 3
Ndop (portrait figure) of King Mishe miShyaang Wall plaque from the Oba’s palace Portrait Mask (Mblo)
maMbul
Examples that earn this point might include the Examples that earn this point might include the Examples that earn this point might include the
following, if appropriate elaboration is provided: following, if appropriate elaboration is provided: following, if appropriate elaboration is provided:
• The Ndop figure remains a primary source • There is an ongoing discussion globally about • The Gbagba masquerade is a form of
of historical information about sub-Saharan looted cultural objects, and the battle entertainment no longer practiced in Kami since
Africa in the precolonial era because of the between Benin and Western museums to the 1980s, replaced today by newer masks and
traditional reliance on oral tradition and lack of have the plaques returned to Benin has been performance styles.
written history. widely covered in the last few years. • When Mblo masks were danced in public they
• Western museums have some Ndop figures • Together with similar objects from the Oba’s were part of a larger ensemble of textiles and cloth
(e.g., the British Museum in England or the palace, the wall plaque was stolen by the that served to limit the visibility of the mask.
Royal Museum for Central Africa in Belgium), British in the late 19th century. This panel and • The duration of these performances tended to be
which is evidence of Western colonial activity other objects were displayed in Western short, and then the performer made a quick and
and has raised criticism around traditional collections where they remain today. dramatic exit, with the intent of leaving the
collecting practices and calls for repatriation of • Scholars believe the original context was to audience wanting more.
cultural artifacts. serve to provide a chronological history of
• In the context of many Western museums, works
• In the context of many Western museums, dynastic rule in Benin, but they are not sure
like these are often displayed without contextual
works like these are often displayed without since the plaques sequence in the palace was
information and separated from Western works,
contextual information and separated from not documented.
demonstrating the racism inherent in early
Western works, demonstrating the racism • The use of hierarchical representation in the
systems of classification based on ethnography.
inherent in early systems of classification based treatment of the figures depicted is similar to
on ethnography. its use in other cultures (such as Egyptian and
Sumerian), where an individual’s relative
• Art historians and other scholars have used
importance may be indicated by their scale as
these sculptures to interpret and reconstruct
compared to other figures.
precolonial Kuba history.

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Sample 2A 1 of 2
Sample 2A 2 of 2
 Sample 2B 1 of 1

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Sample 2C 1 of 1
AP® Art History 2023 Scoring Commentary

Question 2

Note: Student samples are quoted verbatim and may contain spelling and grammatical errors.

Overview

Responses were supposed to demonstrate a number of skills related to art historical thinking,
including argumentation, visual and contextual analysis, and historical interpretation. To be awarded
all six score points, the response needed to successfully accomplish the following tasks:
• Select and identify an appropriate work that was created to represent and honor an important
individual from Africa (1100–1980 CE).
• Establish an art historical claim related to how the work represents and honors an important
individual.
• Provide visual and/or contextual evidence to support that claim.
• Explain how the evidence relates to the claim.
• Corroborate or qualify the claim with additional evidence or argumentation.

Sample: 2A
Identification Score: 1
Claim/Thesis Score: 1
Evidence Score: 2
Analysis and Reasoning Score: 1
Complexity Score: 1
Overall Score: 6

Task A: The response accurately provides two accurate identifiers for the work of art
selected. (1 point)
The response correctly identifies the work as made of “brass” and dated 1750 CE. Additionally, the
plaque is identified as being from “Benin (Nigeria/West Africa).”

Task B: The response provides an art historically defensible claim or thesis that
establishes a line of reasoning. (1 point)
The point was earned for stating that the plaque honors “the long history of kings in Benin by
including individual Benin kings/people on each different plaque that showed a different king and
their accomplishments.” This provides an art historically defensible claim that establishes a line of
reasoning related to the prompt. The claim suggests that the plaque illustrates a particular king and
celebrates his specific accomplishments.
The response also notes that the plaque “shows the King’s dominance over all the other empires.”
This statement also provides an art historically defensible claim, in that it suggests that the plaque
depicts the king in a way that shows his dominance over other cultures. This statement could also
have earned the point if the previous comment had not been included.

Task C: The claim is supported with at least two examples of relevant visual and/or
contextual evidence. (2 points)
The response earned the first point for describing the king’s scale within the plaque. It notes that “he
is right in the center and the artist used hierachiic scale to draw attention to who this is celebrating.”
This is a point of visual evidence that is relevant to the topic of the prompt.

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AP® Art History 2023 Scoring Commentary

Question 2 (continued)

The response earned the second point for its reference to the permanence of the work’s materials,
which “show how the king’s legacy will last forever and ever and for all of eternity.” This is a second
point of visual evidence that is relevant to the topic of the prompt.

Task D: The response explains how the evidence supports the claim. (1 point)
The response earned the point for explaining the significance of the use of hierarchical
representation. The response notes, “The figures on either side of the king were smaller then him
which shows his importance to African society.” While the response incorrectly uses this reasoning
to identify the very small figures in the upper corners of the plaque as Portuguese, this incorrect
identification did not affect the score.

Task E: The response corroborates or qualifies the claim by explaining relevant

connections, providing nuance, or considering diverse views. (1 point)
The response earned this point in recognizing European colonial expansion and the fact that works
such as this “show the importance of the kings accomplishments” as a demonstration of his power.
The response notes “the kings dominance over the portuguese who tried to establish trade and
dominance here.” This demonstrates a broader understanding of the historical context in which the
work was made and provides a more complex understanding of African art in relation to European
colonialism.

Sample: 2B
Identification Score: 0
Claim/Thesis Score: 1
Evidence Score: 2
Analysis and Reasoning Score: 1
Complexity Score: 0
Overall Score: 4

Task A: The response accurately provides two accurate identifiers for the work of art
selected. (0 points)
The response makes an unsuccessful attempt at identifying the work, noting the mask is “wood with
brass additions.” However, it offers no other identifiers.

Task B: The response provides an art historically defensible claim or thesis that
establishes a line of reasoning. (1 point)
The response states that the mask “honours the highly skilled dancers in their tribe.” The claim is
strengthened with the statement that the mask is personalized to represent the dancers’ appearance
and personality.

Task C: The claim is supported with at least two examples of relevant visual and/or
contextual evidence. (2 points)
The response provides an example of visual evidence for the description of the mask’s “stylized
features” and “small slit eyes” and earns one point.
The response provides an additional example of visual evidence in noting that the mask has
“elongated features, such as the nose” and earns the second point.

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AP® Art History 2023 Scoring Commentary

Question 2 (continued)

Task D: The response explains how the evidence supports the claim. (1 point)
The response notes that “The dancers are considered very important to the Mblo tribe,” and that this
mask is “to honour a specific important member of the Mblo culture.” Taken together, this
successfully earned the task point.

Task E: The response corroborates or qualifies the claim by explaining relevant

connections, providing nuance, or considering diverse views. (0 points)
The response makes an attempt at this task point in noting that it is not unusual for artists from
different cultures to create works of art that honor an individual. The response offers an example
of a Neoclassical portrait of George Washington but does not explain how that work connects to
the mask.

Sample: 2C
Identification Score: 0
Claim/Thesis Score: 0
Evidence Score: 1
Analysis and Reasoning Score: 0
Complexity Score: 0
Overall Score: 1

Task A: The response accurately provides two accurate identifiers for the work of art
selected. (0 points)
The response did not earn the point because it provides only one accurate identifier. The work is
correctly dated to the 1900s, but the medium of “clay” is inaccurate.

Task B: The response provides an art historically defensible claim or thesis that
establishes a line of reasoning. (0 points)
The response attempts to present a claim by stating that the mask “honors a specific significant
member in the African society,” but this is a simple restatement of information provided in the
prompt, and so did not earn the point.

Task C: The claim is supported with at least two examples of relevant visual and/or
contextual evidence. (1 point)
The response earned the first point in discussing the fact that the mask depicts a specific individual.
The response states, “These masks are often created individually in respect to a specific person,”
and “The individualy each mask has, represents the significance of the individual that will receive
it.” This is a point of contextual evidence that is relevant to the topic of the prompt.
The response did not earn the second evidence point. Though it does make several additional
attempts at providing contextual evidence, each is incorrect. These include “This portrait mask was
often created by men and awarded to an older women to show them their importance in the society,”
“There was a story connected with this mask as a young man creates an Mblo mask of his mother to
show the respect and importance of the women,” “These mask as only constructed by men,” and
“The mask are often held within a secure room and hung on the wall.”

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AP® Art History 2023 Scoring Commentary

Question 2 (continued)

Task D: The response explains how the evidence supports the claim. (0 points)
The response did not earn the point. As the response’s original claim is not adequately developed,
the attempts to use evidence as support for the claim are insufficient to earn the point.

Task E: The response corroborates or qualifies the claim by explaining relevant

connections, providing nuance, or considering diverse views. (0 points)
The response does not attempt the point. The response does not include a discussion that
demonstrates a complex understanding of the prompt.

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