Discuss the impact of an innovative material or technique.

Having studied Rome and The Renaissance as my two Paper 2 topics, I had two ways of answering this question. For Rome I discussed the development of contrete including its composition (cement, water and aggregate), its unique Roman quality in that the Greeks only had marble, and several specific examples. I used the Sanctuary of Fortuna, a complex network of arches and platforms, The Colosseum, the enormous amphitheatre commissioned by Emporer Vespasian compiled of 80 vaults, and The Pantheon, commissioned by Emporer Hadrian, which continues to be world's largest concrete dome. All of this architecture was enabled by malliable concrete and genius Roman engineering.

For the Renaissance, I discussed Perspective, first developed by Brunelleschi in his drawing of the Baptistry (1420s). I then discussed Masaccio's 'Tribute Money' (1425) found in the Brancacci Chapel which employed one point persepctive, evident in form and in the fact that a nail was found at the top of Christ's head which would have been used to attach the strings to guide the landscape and groups contributing to the perspective. Finally, I discussed a High Renaissance piece such as a work by Leonard da Vinci or Rapahel, using it as an example of how perspective enables the incredible naturalism seen in their art.