Text 1Italian painters in the 1500s rarely depicted themselves in their work. Even more rare were self-portrait paintings that portrayed...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Italian painters in the 1500s rarely depicted themselves in their work. Even more rare were self-portrait paintings that portrayed the artist as a painter. At the time, painting was not yet respected as a profession, so painters mostly chose to emphasize other qualities in their self-portraits, like their intellect or social status. In the city of Bologna, the first artist to depict themself painting was a man named Annibale Carracci. A painting of his from around 1585 shows Carracci in front of an easel holding a palette.
Text 2
In their self-portraits, Bolognese artists typically avoided referring to the act of painting until the mid-1600s. However, Lavinia Fontana's 1577 painting, Self-Portrait at the Keyboard, stands out as the earliest example of such a work by an artist from Bologna. Although the artist is depicted playing music, in the background, one can spot a painting easel by a window.
Based on the texts, how would the author of Text 2 most likely respond to the underlined claim in Text 1?
Carracci and Fontana were among the most well-respected painters in Bologna at the time.
The depiction of Fontana in Self-Portrait at the Keyboard was intended to underscore the artist's creativity.
Fontana likely inspired the reference to an easel and palette in Carracci's painting.
Self-Portrait at the Keyboard was painted earlier than Carracci's painting and also refers to the artist's craft.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Italian painters in the 1500s rarely depicted themselves in their work." |
|
| "Even more rare were self-portrait paintings that portrayed the artist as a painter." |
|
| "At the time, painting was not yet respected as a profession, so painters mostly chose to emphasize other qualities in their self-portraits, like their intellect or social status." |
|
| "In the city of Bologna, the first artist to depict themself painting was a man named Annibale Carracci." |
|
| "A painting of his from around 1585 shows Carracci in front of an easel holding a palette." |
|
TEXT 2:
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "In their self-portraits, Bolognese artists typically avoided referring to the act of painting until the mid-1600s." |
|
| "However, Lavinia Fontana's 1577 painting, Self-Portrait at the Keyboard, stands out as the earliest example of such a work by an artist from Bologna." |
|
| "Although the artist is depicted playing music, in the background, one can spot a painting easel by a window." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The two texts present conflicting claims about who first depicted themselves as a painter in Bologna - Text 1 claims Carracci (1585) was first, while Text 2 claims Fontana (1577) was actually earlier.
Argument Flow: Text 1 establishes historical context about the rarity of artist-as-painter self-portraits, then claims Carracci was the first in Bologna to do this around 1585. Text 2 acknowledges the general avoidance pattern but contradicts Text 1's claim by presenting Fontana's 1577 painting as the actual earliest example from Bologna.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? How would the author of Text 2 most likely respond to the underlined claim in Text 1 (that Carracci was the first artist in Bologna to depict himself painting)
What type of answer do we need? A response that shows how Text 2's information would challenge or modify Text 1's claim
Any limiting keywords? "most likely respond" - we need the most reasonable reaction based on Text 2's evidence
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Based on our analysis, Text 2 directly contradicts Text 1's claim that Carracci was first
- The author of Text 2 would likely point out that:
- Fontana's painting from 1577 actually came before Carracci's 1585 painting
- Fontana's work also refers to the artistic craft (through the easel in the background)
- Therefore, Carracci wasn't actually the first in Bologna to make such a self-portrait
- So the right answer should acknowledge that Text 2 presents earlier evidence that contradicts Text 1's "first" claim
Carracci and Fontana were among the most well-respected painters in Bologna at the time.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims both artists were well-respected painters
- Text 2 doesn't discuss either artist's reputation or respect level
- Completely sidesteps the timing issue that Text 2 would focus on
The depiction of Fontana in Self-Portrait at the Keyboard was intended to underscore the artist's creativity.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses on Fontana's creativity as the intended message
- Text 2 doesn't analyze Fontana's intentions or creativity
- Misses the key chronological challenge Text 2 poses to Text 1
Fontana likely inspired the reference to an easel and palette in Carracci's painting.
✗ Incorrect
- Suggests Fontana inspired Carracci's artistic choices
- Text 2 provides no evidence of influence between the artists
- Doesn't address the direct contradiction about who was "first"
Self-Portrait at the Keyboard was painted earlier than Carracci's painting and also refers to the artist's craft.
✓ Correct
- Directly challenges Text 1's "first" claim by noting Fontana's work was earlier (1577 vs 1585)
- Also confirms that Fontana's work refers to the artist's craft (the easel), meeting the same criteria
- This captures exactly how Text 2's author would respond - by presenting contradictory chronological evidence