Michelangelo’s sixteenth-century Sistine Chapel paintings are currently being restored. A goal of the restorers is to uncover Michelangelo’s original work, and so additions made to Michelangelo’s paintings by later artists are being removed. However, the restorers have decided to make one exception: to leave intact additions that were painted by da Volterra.

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to reconcile the restorers’ decision with the goal stated in the passage?

(A) The restorers believe that da Volterra stripped away all previous layers of paint before he painted his own additions to the Sistine Chapel.

(B) Because da Volterra used a type of pigment that is especially sensitive to light, the additions to the Sistine Chapel that ad Volterra painted have relatively muted colors.

(C) Da Volterra’s additions were painted in a style that was similar to the style used by Michelangelo.

(D) Michelangelo is famous primarily for his sculptures and only secondarily for his paintings, whereas da Volterra is known exclusively for his paintings.

(E) Da Volterra’s work is considered by certain art historians to be just as valuable as the work of additions to Michelangelo’s work.

agree with B..

(A) The restorers believe that da Volterra stripped away all previous layers of paint before he painted his own additions to the Sistine Chapel.
- Not important. The restorers were intent on uncovering Michelangelo's original works and having an empty patch because da Volterra's works was removed isn't going to bother them too much. A is out.

(B) Because da Volterra used a type of pigment that is especially sensitive to light, the additions to the Sistine Chapel that ad Volterra painted have relatively muted colors.
- Not important.

(C) Da Volterra’s additions were painted in a style that was similar to - - the style being similar to michaelangelo still does not give good reasons to remove them. Other painters who made additions would surly have painted in a similar style too.

(D) Michelangelo is famous primarily for his sculptures and only secondarily for his paintings, whereas da Volterra is known exclusively for his paintings.
- Not important.

(E) Da Volterra’s work is considered by certain art historians to be just as valuable as the work of additions to Michelangelo’s work.
- This one should best explain why restorers decided to leave Da Volterra's work untouched. If its equally valuable, then it shouldn't be removed.

E it is. (I'm still undecided between C and E, and I'll repost if I think of anything new that makes C more favorable)

Don't forget about GOAL of this work - to uncover ORIGINAL work of Mich!
So similar style (as in C) or valueness of other works (as in E) maens nothing if we have such GOAL. Only B gave us logacal reasoning - mute colors, which don't hide original work of Mich.
B is my answer

C for me, I think "E" actually means that Volterra’s additions are as valuable as any other additions and not that his work is as valuable as Mich's work.

A goal of the restorers is to uncover Michelangelo’s original work

if da Volterra has stripped away all layers of paint before he painted, then there is no possibility to uncover Michelangelo's work if they strip away da volterra's work - it does not achieve their goal.

A)

Only you got it right...

Could you explain more?

thanks

Thanks. Some how this one was plain obvious to me - one of those good days.

HI, ywilfred
Do you mean if restorers remove de volterra's addition, these restorers will see nothing?
Right?