Critical Reasoning

A newly discovered painting on wooden panel by Michelangelo must have been completed after 1507 but before 1509. It cannot have been painted earlier than 1507 because one of its central figures carries a coin that was not minted until that year. It cannot have been painted after 1509 because it contains a pigment that Michelangelo is known to have abandoned when a cheaper alternative became available in that year.

Which of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends?
No stocks of the abandoned pigment existed after 1509.
Michelangelo did not work on the painting over the course of several years.
The coin depicted in the painting was known to general public in 1507.
The wooden panel on which the painting was executed cannot be tested accurately for age.
Michelangelo's painting style did not change between 1507 and 1509.

Argument says that Michelangelo must have completed the painting between years 1507-1509.

Option A: No stocks of the abandoned pigment existed after 1509.
This is a very strong statement. The question only says that Michelangelo stopped using the pigment after a cheap alternative was available. We dont know if everyone stopped using the pigment after 1509 and no stocks were available. Hence irrelevant.

Option B: Michelangelo did not work on the painting over the course of several years.
The argument clearly says that Michelangelo must have completed the painting between years 1507-1509. This option just restates this point. So option B is correct.

Option C: The coin depicted in the painting was known to general public in 1507.
No information about this point is given in the question hence this option is irrelevant.

Option D: The wooden panel on which the painting was executed cannot be tested accurately for age.
Again like C this option is irrelevant. Maybe there is a way to test the accurate age of the painting.

Option E: Michelangelo's painting style did not change between 1507 and 1509.
Again Irrelevant since his painting style is not discussed.

So B.

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I will Go with option B in this case