There is no mystery as to why figurative painting revived in the late

why not d?
D and E seems to be answer choice.
I had tough time to understand why not d?

There is no mystery as to why figurative painting revived in the late 1970s. People want to look at recognizable images. Sorting out art theories reflected in abstract paintings is no substitute for the sense of empathy that comes from looking at a realistic painting of a figure in a landscape. Perhaps members of the art felt that its lack of realistic subject matter was a rejection of the viewers and their world.

Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main point of the passage?

(A) Abstract paintings often include or forms that are suggestive of real objects or emotions.

The passage never mentions that. It says that viewers sort out theories of these paintings, but it never said that abstract paintings are suggestive of real objects or emotions.

(B) The art-viewing public wished to see traditional subjects treated in a nontraditional manner.

The passage does not talk about traditional and non-traditional mannerism.

(C) Paintings that depict a recognizable physical world rather than the emotional world of the artist's life require more artistic talent to create.

Out of scope.

(D) The general public is unable to understand the theories on which abstract painting is based.

This is wrong. The passage says viewers sort out artistic theories.

(E) The artistic preferences of the art-viewing public stimulated the revival.

Yes this is what the whole passage is about. The last line even says "Perhaps members of the art felt that its lack of realistic subject matter was a rejection of the viewers and their world."

I always use below trick: If you were to explain in one line what you understand from a para such as this to your CEO within 10 sec, what would it be? anything that is not worth mentioning, in that line and time, can never be that point.

Now coming to option D, it talks about the understanding of the public towards arts. Hmm, something that has not been discussed on the passage.

Hope this helps.

Why figurative painting revived in the late 1970s - people want to look at recognizable images.
Rather than sorting out art theories reflected in abstract paintings, people prefer sense of empathy that comes from looking at a realistic painting of a figure in a landscape.
Perhaps members of the art felt that its lack of realistic subject matter was a rejection of the viewers and their world.

The argument starts with why figurative painting revived - because people prefer it. Then it goes on to explain why people prefer it.

(A) Abstract paintings often include or forms that are suggestive of real objects or emotions.
No mention.

(B) The art-viewing public wished to see traditional subjects treated in a nontraditional manner.
We don't know whether they are treated in non traditional manner.

(C) Paintings that depict a recognizable physical world rather than the emotional world of the artist's life require more artistic talent to create.
"More talent" is not mentioned.

(D) The general public is unable to understand the theories on which abstract painting is based.
Not true. They prefer sense of empathy to sorting out art theories. We don't know whether they understand the theories.

(E) The artistic preferences of the art-viewing public stimulated the revival.
True. The argument talks about why the revival happened - because of artistic preferences of public.

Answer (E)

There is no mystery as to why figurative painting revived in the late 1970s. People want to look at recognizable images. Sorting out art theories reflected in abstract paintings is no substitute for the sense of empathy that comes from looking at a realistic painting of a figure in a landscape. Perhaps members of the art felt that its lack of realistic subject matter was a rejection of the viewers and their world.

Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main point of the passage?

(A) Abstract paintings often include or forms that are suggestive of real objects or emotions.

(B) The art-viewing public wished to see traditional subjects treated in a nontraditional manner.

(C) Paintings that depict a recognizable physical world rather than the emotional world of the artist's life require more artistic talent to create.

(D) The general public is unable to understand the theories on which abstract painting is based.

(E) The artistic preferences of the art-viewing public stimulated the revival.

Only C, D and E are the contenders.
With the first sentence as conclusion the rest of the part of passage is the reasoning behind it. The word 'perhaps' is confusing(more deceiving) a bit since it may lead people to believe that normal viewers don't understand abstract paintings. This makes D look good thus or may be a far choice C.

E does not look at all connecting the dots but conclusion-wise it's the best because people WANTED(preferences) to look at recognisable paintings.

Answer E.