A new interactive quiz published by BuzzFeed is testing whether readers can truly call themselves culturally literate by identifying the artists behind fifteen of history's most famous paintings. The feature, created by staff writer Jennifer McPhee, presents a series of iconic artworks and challenges participants to select the correct creator from multiple-choice options. The quiz format has quickly gained traction across social media platforms, tapping into both people's desire for self-validation and nostalgia for traditional art education. McPhee, who admits she could spend entire days in art museums, designed the quiz to address a gap she noticed in her own knowledge of art history.
The introduction to the quiz laments what McPhee describes as the decline of painting as a dominant art form in modern society. She notes that while historic buildings like the Sistine Chapel once showcased breathtaking artwork on every surface, contemporary spaces increasingly feature minimalist designs with chrome fixtures and glass walls. This cultural shift has created a generation that recognizes famous images but cannot necessarily name the artist or title. The quiz serves as both entertainment and a subtle critique of this trend, encouraging participants to reconnect with artistic heritage. McPhee's personal reflection frames the quiz as more than just a game, but as a commentary on changing cultural values.
The fifteen paintings selected represent a diverse range of artistic movements and time periods, from Renaissance masters to modern innovators. Participants must identify works by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, and other canonical figures in Western art history. Each question is accompanied by high-quality images sourced from museum collections and archival databases. The quiz interface includes advertisements between questions, a standard feature for BuzzFeed's monetization model. The interactive design allows immediate feedback, showing correct answers after each selection to reinforce learning.
Community engagement has been robust, with hundreds of comments posted within hours of publication. Readers share their scores, debate ambiguous answers, and discuss their personal experiences with art education. One commenter correctly identified van Gogh's severed body part as his ear, though some pedantically specified it was his earlobe for full accuracy. The discussion thread reveals both pride and embarrassment about performance, with scores ranging from perfect fifteen out of fifteen to more modest results. This social component transforms a solitary quiz into a shared cultural experience, fostering conversation about art literacy in the digital age.
The bonus question about van Gogh's self-mutilation has become a particular point of interest, demonstrating how even those unfamiliar with art history often know this dramatic biographical detail. This macabre factoid has transcended academic circles to become part of popular culture, much like the paintings themselves. McPhee's inclusion of this question acknowledges that cultural knowledge exists on multiple levels, encompassing both formal appreciation and tabloid-worthy anecdotes. The quiz ultimately asks what it means to be "cultured" in the twenty-first century and whether traditional metrics still apply.
The feature exemplifies BuzzFeed's strategy of blending entertainment with educational content, using gamification to drive engagement and ad revenue. While some critics argue such quizzes oversimplify complex subjects, supporters contend they serve as accessible entry points to deeper learning. The article directs readers to follow BuzzFeed Canada on social media platforms for similar content, integrating the quiz into broader digital marketing efforts. Whether viewed as serious cultural assessment or lighthearted diversion, the quiz has successfully sparked widespread discussion about art knowledge and cultural literacy among millennials and Gen Z audiences.
