Text 1French Impressionist artist Edgar Degas insisted that his paintings be kept in their original frames after they were sold....
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
French Impressionist artist Edgar Degas insisted that his paintings be kept in their original frames after they were sold. Like many Impressionist painters, Degas used painted frames that stood in contrast to the gold frames frequently seen at the Paris Salon, a prestigious art exhibition that was sponsored by the French government and promoted traditional painting styles. Impressionist painters likely chose these colorful frames to distinguish themselves from what was considered conventional at the time.
Text 2
Impressionist painters often focused on the interplay of color and light in their works. As such, those Impressionists who placed their works in painted frames instead of the more traditional gold ones did so for aesthetic reasons: a frame's color was likely chosen because it would harmonize with the colors or subjects in a painting. Gold, conversely, could distract from the subtleties in a painted scene.
Based on the texts, both authors would most likely agree with which statement?
Gold frames were considered especially desirable by those who purchased works from Impressionist painters.
The colors in an Impressionist painting were often chosen to complement the colors of the frame it would be placed in.
Many Impressionist painters were intentional about the frames they selected for their works.
Degas's preferred framing style was different from that of most Impressionist painters.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "French Impressionist artist Edgar Degas insisted that his paintings be kept in their original frames after they were sold." |
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| "Like many Impressionist painters, Degas used painted frames that stood in contrast to the gold frames frequently seen at the Paris Salon." |
|
| "Impressionist painters likely chose these colorful frames to distinguish themselves from what was considered conventional at the time." |
|
| "Impressionist painters often focused on the interplay of color and light in their works." |
|
| "As such, those Impressionists who placed their works in painted frames instead of the more traditional gold ones did so for aesthetic reasons." |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture
Main Point: Both texts explain why Impressionist painters chose painted frames over gold ones, offering different but compatible explanations.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? Identify a statement both authors would agree with.
What type of answer do we need? Text analysis requiring synthesis of two perspectives.
Any limiting keywords? Both authors would agree with
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Both texts agree that Impressionists made deliberate, purposeful choices about frames
- Text 1 suggests the purpose was distinguishing from convention, while Text 2 emphasizes aesthetic harmony, but both see the choices as intentional
Gold frames were considered especially desirable by those who purchased works from Impressionist painters.
- Neither text suggests buyers preferred gold frames for Impressionist works
The colors in an Impressionist painting were often chosen to complement the colors of the frame it would be placed in.
- Text 2 states frame colors were chosen to harmonize with paintings, not vice versa
Many Impressionist painters were intentional about the frames they selected for their works.
- Both texts support that Impressionists made deliberate frame choices, though for different stated reasons
Degas's preferred framing style was different from that of most Impressionist painters.
- Text 1 groups Degas with other Impressionists rather than distinguishing him