21

This topic has expert replies
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 371
Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2008 10:16 am
Thanked: 6 times
Followed by:1 members

21

by vaivish » Wed Jul 23, 2008 11:00 am
It is very difficult to prove today that a painting done two or three hundred years ago, especially one without a signature or with a questionably authentic signature, is indubitably the work of this or that particular artist. This fact gives the traditional attribution of a disputed painting special weight, since that attribution carries the presumption of historical continuity. Consequently, an art historian arguing for a deattribution will generally convince other art historians only if he or she can persuasively argue for a specific reattribution.
Which one of the following, if true, most strongly supports the position that the traditional attribution of a disputed painting should not have special weight?
(A) Art dealers have always been led by economic self-interest to attribute any unsigned paintings of merit to recognized masters rather than to obscure artists.
(B) When a painting is originally created, there are invariably at least some eyewitnesses who see the artist at work, and thus questions of correct attribution cannot arise at that time.
(C) There are not always clearly discernible differences between the occasional inferior work produced by a master and the very best work produced by a lesser talent.
(D) Attribution can shape perception inasmuch as certain features that would count as marks of greatness in a master’s work would be counted as signs of inferior artistry if a work were attributed to a minor artist.
(E) Even though some masters had specialists assist them with certain detail work, such as depicting lace, the resulting works are properly attributed to the masters alone.
Source: — Critical Reasoning |

Legendary Member
Posts: 1159
Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:35 pm
Thanked: 56 times

by raunekk » Wed Jul 23, 2008 12:09 pm
i am lost... attribution... deattribution...reatrribution....gosh!!!

I had to read it 10 times and i dont want to read it anymore..

I am sure even the makers wud have taken days to make this.... :wink:

I am torn between A ,C and D....

A or D....

ITs better i stick to gmat cr's..:)


Bring in the gurus!!!

Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 19
Joined: Fri Jul 04, 2008 7:35 am

by gmattestprep » Wed Jul 23, 2008 5:58 pm
I agree - the stimulus is crazy!

I'd go with D

Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 164
Joined: Wed Jun 11, 2008 6:34 pm
Location: Bangalore
GMAT Score:590

by iwill » Wed Jul 23, 2008 11:20 pm
I m lost !
my pick is D, OA please..

Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Jul 12, 2008 12:24 am
Location: Oakland

by bisto41510 » Thu Jul 24, 2008 12:58 am
I'm torn between C or D... can someone explain why C is wrong?

Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 164
Joined: Wed Jun 11, 2008 6:34 pm
Location: Bangalore
GMAT Score:590

by iwill » Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:26 am
please share OA !

Legendary Member
Posts: 572
Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2008 9:25 am
Thanked: 21 times

by reachac » Thu Jul 24, 2008 7:19 am
IMO A

Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 371
Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2008 10:16 am
Thanked: 6 times
Followed by:1 members

by vaivish » Thu Jul 24, 2008 12:12 pm
OA is A

Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 300
Joined: Fri Aug 09, 2013 2:26 am

by khanshainur » Wed May 11, 2016 3:09 am
Cannot decide between A and D. Can anyone brake down these two choices for me please