The painter Roy Lichtenstein helped to define pop art—the movement tha

Question

New Project RC Butler 2019  -  Practice 2 RC Passages Everyday   
Passage # 184, Date : 03-Jul-2019
 This post is a part of New Project RC Butler 2019 .  Click here for Details

The painter Roy Lichtenstein helped to define pop art—the movement that incorporated commonplace objects and commercial-art techniques into paintings— by paraphrasing the style of comic books in his work. His merger of a popular genre with the forms and intentions of fine art generated a complex result: while poking fun at the pretensions of the art world, Lichtenstein’s work also managed to convey a seriousness of theme that enabled it to transcend mere parody.

That Lichtenstein’s images were fine art was at first difficult to see, because, with their word balloons and highly stylized figures, they looked like nothing more than the comic book panels from which they were copied. Standard art history holds that pop art emerged as an impersonal alternative to the histrionics of abstract expressionism, a movement in which painters conveyed their private attitudes and emotions using nonrepresentational techniques. The truth is that by the time pop art first appeared in the early 1960s, abstract expressionism had already lost much of its force. Pop art painters weren’t quarreling with the powerful early abstract expressionist work of the late 1940s but with a second generation of abstract expressionists whose work seemed airy, high-minded, and overly lyrical. Pop art paintings were full of simple black lines and large areas of primary color. Lichtenstein’s work was part of a general rebellion against the fading emotional power of abstract expressionism, rather than an aloof attempt to ignore it.

But if rebellion against previous art by means of the careful imitation of a popular genre were all that characterized Lichtenstein’s work, it would possess only the reflective power that parodies have in relation to their subjects. Beneath its cartoonish methods, his work displayed an impulse toward realism, an urge to say that what was missing from contemporary painting was the depiction of contemporary life.  The stilted romances and war stories portrayed in the comic books on which he based his canvases, the stylized automobiles, hot dogs, and table lamps that appeared in his pictures, were reflections of the culture Lichtenstein inhabited.  But, in contrast to some pop art, Lichtenstein’s work exuded not a jaded cynicism about consumer culture, but a kind of deliberate naivete, intended as a response to the excess of sophistication he observed not only in the later abstract expressionists but in some other pop artists.With the comics— typically the domain of youth and innocence—as his reference point, a nostalgia fills his paintings that gives them, for all their surface bravado, an inner sweetness. His persistent use of comic-art conventions demonstrates a faith in reconciliation, not only between cartoons and fine art, but between parody and true feeling.   1 
 1. Which one of the following most accurately states the main point of the passage?

(A) Lichtenstein’s use of comic book elements in his paintings, considered simply a parodic reaction to the high-mindedness of later abstract expressionism, is also an attempt to re-create the emotionally powerful work of earlier abstract expressionists.
(B) Lichtenstein’s use of comic book elements is not solely a parodic reaction to the highmindedness of later abstract expressionism but also demonstrates an attempt to achieve realistic and nostalgic effects simultaneously in his paintings.
(C) Lichtenstein’s use of comic book elements obscures the emotional complexity contained in his paintings, a situation that has prevented his work from being recognized as fine art in the expressionist tradition.
(D) Lichtenstein’s use of comic book elements appears to mark his paintings as parodic reactions to the whole of abstract expressionism when they are instead a rebellion against the high-mindedness of the later abstract expressionists.
(E) Lichtenstein’s use of comic book elements in his paintings, though a response to the excessive sophistication of the art world, is itself highly sophisticated in that it manages to reconcile pop art and fine art.

2 
 2. Which one of the following best captures the author’s attitude toward Lichtenstein’s work?

(A) enthusiasm for its more rebellious aspects
(B) respect for its successful parody of youth and innocence
(C) pleasure in its blatant rejection of abstract expressionism
(D) admiration for its subtle critique of contemporary culture
(E) appreciation for its ability to incorporate both realism and naivete

3 
 3. The author most likely lists some of the themes and objects influencing and appearing in Lichtenstein’s paintings (lines 38–43) primarily to

(A) show that the paintings depict aspects of contemporary life
(B) support the claim that Lichtenstein’s work was parodic in intent
(C) contrast Lichtenstein’s approach to art with that of abstract expressionism
(D) suggest the emotions that lie at the heart of Lichtenstein’s work
(E) endorse Lichtenstein’s attitude toward consumer culture

4 
 4. Based on the passage, which one of the following would be an example of pop art that is most in keeping with the spirit of Lichtenstein’s work?

(A) a painting that uses realistic techniques to represent several simple objects arranged on a table
(B) a painting that parodies human figures by depicting them as stick figures
(C) a painting that conveys its creator’s inner turmoil through the use of bold lines and primary colors
(D) a painting that employs vague shapes and images to make a statement about consumer culture
(E) a painting that depicts products as they appear in magazine advertisements to comment on society’s values

5 
 5. Which one of the following, if true, would most challenge the author’s characterization of Lichtenstein?

(A) Lichtenstein frequently attended exhibitions by abstract expressionist painters in the 1960s.
(B) Lichtenstein praised a contemporary abstract expressionist in the 1960s for producing an atypically emotional painting.
(C) Lichtenstein praised an early abstract expressionist for producing emotional paintings.
(D) Lichtenstein criticized a pop artist in the 1960s for producing emotional paintings.
(E) Lichtenstein criticized a pop artist in the 1960s for producing paintings void of emotion.

6 
 6. The primary purpose of the passage is most likely to

(A) express curiosity about an artist’s work
(B) clarify the motivation behind an artist’s work
(C) contrast two opposing theories about an artist’s work
(D) describe the evolution of an artist’s work
(E) refute a previous overestimation of an artist’s work

7 
 7. Based on the passage, which one of the following does the author appear to believe about the rebellious aspect of Lichtenstein’s work?

(A) It was directed less against abstract expressionism exclusively than against overly sophisticated art.
(B) It was directed less against later abstract expressionism than against commercial art.
(C) It was directed less against later abstract expressionism exclusively than against abstract expressionism in general.
(D) It was an objection to the consumerism of the culture.
(E) It was an objection to the simplicity of line and color used by pop artists.

8 
 8. Based on the passage, which one of the following can most reasonably be inferred about abstract expressionism?

(A) Over time, it moved from abstraction to realism.
(B) Over time, it moved from intensity to lyricism.
(C) Over time, it moved from intellectualism to emotionalism.
(D) Over time, it moved from obscurity to clarity.
(E) Over time, it moved from density to sparseness.

Source:   LSAT Official PrepTest 42   ( December 2003 ) 
 Difficulty Level:   700

Sajjad1994 · Accepted Answer

Hello  akanshaxo  and  ssaamm  Here is the explanation

Explanation

Road map

Para 1:  Roy L.—comics + seriousness

Para 2:  Pop art rebels against abstract impressionism

Para 3 : Roy L. sincere, not cynical

2. Which one of the following best captures the author’s attitude toward Lichtenstein’s work?

Difficulty Level:   700

Explanation

Keep the Scope in mind during every question. Scope is a key factor in this Attitude question because all five choices are basically supportive of Lichtenstein. But on what grounds?  (E)  gets it right by echoing the successful merger of fun and seriousness with which the passage both begins and ends.

(A) Paragraph 3  begins by implying that if Lichtenstein were only about rebelliousness, as  (A)  would have it, he would be a fairly marginal figure.

(B)  Likewise, the author’s interest in Lichtenstein transcends mere parody.

(C)  Any  “blatant rejection”  or rebellion was against late abstract expressionism only, not the entire movement; and again, the author is interested in much more than sheer rebellion.

(D)  Lichtenstein’s art was  “cartoonish”  and filled with  “surface bravado,”  terms that hardly convey the idea of a  “subtle critique.”

Answer: E

4. Based on the passage, which one of the following would be an example of pop art that is most in keeping with the spirit of Lichtenstein’s work?

Difficulty Level:   750

Explanation

“The spirit of Lichtenstein’s work”  is a pretty broad area of interest so it’s tough, if not impossible, to predict where the right answer will be going. After reviewing the gist of each paragraph, we should attack each choice in turn.

(A)  Careful! While Lichtenstein had  “an impulse toward realism,”  we’re explicitly told that his art contained  “word balloons and highly stylized figures”  ( lines 9-10 ).

(B)  Lichtenstein was parodying the high-mindedness of a genre, late abstract expressionism, not human beings per se. And  “stick figures”  (not withstanding the  “simple black lines” ) don’t seem to go along with the comic book genre and the  “large areas of primary color.”

(D)  The  “simple black lines,”  however, certainly don’t suggest  (D)’s “vague shapes and images.”  Lichtenstein dealt with consumer culture ( paragraph 3 ) using recognizable images, not vague ones.

(E)  The only one left has to be the winner, and it is. The  “comment on society’s values”  echoes the  “reflections of the culture”  reference in  line 35

Answer: E

5. Which one of the following, if true, would most challenge the author’s characterization of Lichtenstein?

Difficulty Level:   700

Explanation

Weakening a Reading Comprehension argument is trickier than doing so in Logical Reasoning, because the latter consists of only one conclusion and support, while a reading passage can contain several arguments. Be sure to tie your choice specifically to something in the text.

(A)  That Lichtenstein may have gone to abstract expressionism exhibitions neither marks him as a hypocrite nor is inconsistent with the author’s assertions. Surely Lichtenstein needed to see the genre in order to rebel against it.

(B),(C)  Praise for an abstract expressionist of any period, early or late, who manages to get some emotion into his art is very much in character for Lichtenstein; remember, he was rebelling against  “fading emotional power”  (lines 23–26).

(D)  The very reason that  (B) and (C)  are in character for Lichtenstein, makes  (D)  the right answer. For Lichtenstein to criticize emotionality in a painting— especially in a fellow pop artist—would contradict his quarrel with  “airy, high-minded,…lyrical”  abstract art.

(E)  The other side of  (B)’s and (C)’s  coin. It’s quite in keeping for Lichtenstein, a man who merged  “parody and true feeling,”  to bash an artist for pushing emotion out.

Answer: D

8. Based on the passage, which one of the following can most reasonably be inferred about abstract expressionism?

Difficulty Level:   700

Explanation

When all five choices look remarkably similar, don’t let that distract you. Seek out their explicit differences.

Abstract expressionism is—again— paragraph 2  only, and while the early stage is described as  “powerful”  ( line 18 ) the later stage is  “airy, high-minded, and overly lyrical”   ( line 21 ). That’s (B),  pretty straightforwardly.

(A)  Lichtenstein employed realism; the abstract expressionists (as the name implies) evidently never did.

(C)  Has it exactly backward. 180.

(D)  Abstract expressionism is described as always having been “nonrepresentational,” so on the evidence it never reached a point of “clarity.”

(E)  However  “dense”  early abstract expressionism may have been,  “airy” and “lyrical,”  the adjectives that the author ascribes to the late stage of the movement, hardly sound like  “sparseness.”

Answer: B

Hope It helps

AmruthaMV · Answer

Please explain the 7th question's solution

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

7. Based on the passage, which one of the following does the author appear to believe about the rebellious aspect of Lichtenstein’s work?

Difficulty Level:   700

Explanation

This is an  inference  question,  “Rebellious”  is  paragraph 2 , so search there.  Lines 22–24  tie in with  lines 17–21  to lead to  (A) : Lichtenstein and his fellow pop artists appreciated  “the powerful early”  abstract expressionists, but disdained the intellectual and airy later offshoots.

(B)  The bashing of  “commercial art”  comes out of nowhere. Moreover,  (B)  reduces late abstract expressionism as a Lichtenstein target, when in fact that was precisely what Lichtenstein was rebelling against.

(C)  180; gets it exactly backward.

(D)  Lichtenstein’s treatment of consumerism—which was more nuanced than a mere  “objection” —is in any case not part of the rebellion paragraph,  paragraph 2.

(E)  A huge distortion. Why would Lichtenstein object to techniques that he himself used ? (lines 20–21)

Answer: A

Hope it helps

Kanvi · Answer

why not c is correct in question 4

Sajjad1994 · Answer

First read  line 35  in the passage.

The  “comment on society’s values”  echoes the  “reflections of the culture” .

Now compare the both E and C.

(C)   a painting that   conveys its creator’s inner turmoil   through the use of bold lines and primary colors

(E)   a painting that   depicts products as they appear   in magazine advertisements to comment   on society’s values

So C is wrong.

Hope it heps

GMATNinja · Answer

We are told that "Lichtenstein’s work was part of a general rebellion against the fading emotional power of abstract expressionism." Backing up a couple sentences, we have, "Pop art painters weren’t quarreling with the powerful early abstract expressionist work of the late 1940s  but with a second generation of abstract expressionists  whose work seemed airy, high-minded, and overly lyrical."

As a pop art painter, Lichtenstein did NOT quarrel (have a disagreement) with  early  abstract expressionism. So we can infer that Lichtenstein did not necessarily have a problem with abstract expressionism in general. In fact, Lichtenstein viewed early abstract expressionism as "powerful". On the other hand, Lichtenstein, DID quarrel with a second generation of abstract expressionists.

Now we come to the most important bit: "But, in contrast to some pop art, Lichtenstein’s work exuded  not  a jaded cynicism about consumer culture,  but  a kind of deliberate naivete, intended as a response to the excess of sophistication he observed not only in the later abstract expressionists but in some other pop artists."

Lichtenstein's work did NOT display jaded cynicism about consumer culture. His work did, however, did display a deliberate naivete (lack of sophistication) in response to the excessive sophistication of later (i.e. second generation) abstract expressionists AND of some other pop artists.

So Lichtenstein did not rebel against ALL abstract expressionism, and his rebellion was not  limited  to abstract expressionism. Instead, Lichtenstein rebelled against excessive sophistication, regardless of the type of art (i.e. abstract expressionism or pop art).

Hopefully that helps with #7! If not, please let us know what you are thinking -- the more specific your questions, the better we can help.

Gladiator59 · Answer

ssaamm , there are already quite a few explanations on this passage. Kindly go through them once and feel free to tag any of the experts if you have any specific questions. You can also find  a good discussion on this passage here.

Meanwhile, I will try to get my hands on the OE and share if I find it.

auradediligodo · Answer

P1

The author in this paragraph introduces RL and explains how he impacts the world of pop art. Plus we know that thanks to his seriousness he transcended the mere parody.

Purpose:  To present RL

P2

In this paragraph the author explains how pop at is an art movement in contrast with the second generation of abstract expressionists. Later the author discusses the rebellious aspects of RL towards the emotional fading power of abstract expressionists.

Purpose:  To detail the contrast of pop art with abstract expressionism and the rebellious aspect of Rl

P3

In this paragraph the author wants to show us many more aspects that characterized RL as an artist. Rl did not use only parody but his works reflected contemporary life. Plus we know that he ignored the protest of many pop up artists towards consumers in an attempt to contrast with too sophisticated pop up artists of his generation. Lastly we know that feelings such as nostalgia and sweetness characterized his work.

Purpose:  To present more aspects of RL as an artist

Main point

The main point of this passage is to consider the impact of RL related to pop up art, investigating the history of pop up art and the contrast with abstract expressionism, and to unveil some important aspects of the artists.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Which one of the following most accurately states the main point of the passage?

Pre-thinking

Main point question

The main point of this passage is to consider the impact of RL related to pop up art, investigating the history of pop up art and the contrast with abstract expressionism, and to unveil some important aspects of the artists.

(A) Lichtenstein’s use of comic book elements in his paintings, considered simply a parodic reaction to the high-mindedness of later abstract expressionism, is also an attempt to re-create the emotionally powerful work of earlier abstract expressionists.
 This option is wrong as we don't know whether RL attempted to do such a thing or not

(B)   Lichtenstein’s use of comic book elements is not solely a parodic reaction to the highmindedness of later abstract expressionism but also demonstrates an attempt to achieve realistic and nostalgic effects simultaneously in his paintings.
 This option seems promising. It is correct and broad enough

(C) Lichtenstein’s use of comic book elements obscures the emotional complexity contained in his paintings, a situation that has prevented his work from being recognized as fine art in the expressionist tradition.
 nothing is obscured

(D) Lichtenstein’s use of comic book elements appears to mark his paintings as parodic reactions to the whole of abstract expressionism when they are instead a rebellion against the high-mindedness of the later abstract expressionists.
 This option is completely distorted

(E) Lichtenstein’s use of comic book elements in his paintings, though a response to the excessive sophistication of the art world, is itself highly sophisticated in that it manages to reconcile pop art and fine art.
 we are not given that LR's work is sophisticated. OUT

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Which one of the following best captures the author’s attitude toward Lichtenstein’s work?

Pre-thinking

Author's attitude question

The author does not have contrasting sentiments toward the artist but also she does not seem to be enthusiastic

(A) enthusiasm for its more rebellious aspects
 No enthusiasm is shown

(B) respect for its successful parody of youth and innocence
 successful makes this option wrong

(C) pleasure in its blatant rejection of abstract expressionism
 No pleasure

(D) admiration for its subtle critique of contemporary culture
 No admiration

(E)   appreciation for its ability to incorporate both realism and naivete
 Seems promising

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. The author most likely lists some of the themes and objects influencing and appearing in Lichtenstein’s paintings (lines 38–43) primarily to

Pre-thinking

Function question

The purpose is to show how his works reflected contemporary life

(A)   show that the paintings depict aspects of contemporary life
(B) support the claim that Lichtenstein’s work was parodic in intent
(C) contrast Lichtenstein’s approach to art with that of abstract expressionism
(D) suggest the emotions that lie at the heart of Lichtenstein’s work
(E) endorse Lichtenstein’s attitude toward consumer culture

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Based on the passage, which one of the following would be an example of pop art that is most in keeping with the spirit of Lichtenstein’s work?

Pre-thinking

Analogous scenario question

We need to find something that is rebellious/ not sophisticated/ showing reconciliation between 2 forms of arts/ parodic

(A)a painting that uses realistic techniques to represent several simple objects arranged on a table
 Looking at the objects listed in P3 we can seethe such objects have nothing to do with realism

(B) a painting that parodies human figures by depicting them as stick figures
 human figures are not discussed

(C) a painting that conveys its creator’s inner turmoil through the use of bold lines and primary colors
 the inner turmoil of RL is not discussed

(D) a painting that employs vague shapes and images to make a statement about consumer culture
 opposite as RL does not want to criticize consumer culture

(E)   a painting that depicts products as they appear in magazine advertisements to comment on society’s values
 Came here by POE. Also RL depicts objects of contemporary society and this painting seems to do the same

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. Which one of the following, if true, would most challenge the author’s characterization of Lichtenstein?

Pre-thinking

Weaken question

Let's evaluate the options

(A) Lichtenstein frequently attended exhibitions by abstract expressionist painters in the 1960s.
 This option does not have an impact on the author's argument

(B) Lichtenstein praised a contemporary abstract expressionist in the 1960s for producing an atypically emotional painting.
 this option would strengthen the author's claim

(C) Lichtenstein praised an early abstract expressionist for producing emotional paintings.
 same as B

(D)   Lichtenstein criticized a pop artist in the 1960s for producing emotional paintings.
 Clearly it would be paradoxical for RL to criticize something that he did himself

(E) Lichtenstein criticized a pop artist in the 1960s for producing paintings void of emotion.
 Same as B

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6. The primary purpose of the passage is most likely to

Pre-thinking

Main point question

The main point of this passage is to consider the impact of RL related to pop up art, investigating the history of pop up art and the contrast with abstract expressionism, and to unveil some important aspects of the artists.

(A) express curiosity about an artist’s work
 No curiosity is expressed

(B)   clarify the motivation behind an artist’s work
 In line with pre-thinking

(C) contrast two opposing theories about an artist’s work
 No 2 opposing theories are presented

(D) describe the evolution of an artist’s work
 the evolution is not at all described

(E) refute a previous overestimation of an artist’s work
 overestimation is inconsistent her

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7. Based on the passage, which one of the following does the author appear to believe about the rebellious aspect of Lichtenstein’s work?

Pre-thinking

Inference question

We need to evaluate the option choices

(A)   It was directed less against abstract expressionism exclusively than against overly sophisticated art.
 This seems promising as we know that the rebellion was against the second generation of abstract expressionists and not in general to abstract expressionsism

(B) It was directed less against later abstract expressionism than against commercial art.
 There is no form of rebellion against commercial art

(C) It was directed less against later abstract expressionism exclusively than against abstract expressionism in general.
 opposite

(D) It was an objection to the consumerism of the culture.
 opposite. He was naive

(E) It was an objection to the simplicity of line and color used by pop 
 out of scope

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8. Based on the passage, which one of the following can most reasonably be inferred about abstract expressionism?

Pre-thinking

Inference question

Abstract expressionism is mainly discussed in P2.

(A) Over time, it moved from abstraction to realism.
 Cannot be inferred

(B)   Over time, it moved from intensity to lyricism.
 abstract expressionism had already lost much of its force.  +  but with a second generation of abstract expressionists whose work seemed airy, high-minded, and overly lyrical.

Very hard to find

(C) Over time, it moved from intellectualism to emotionalism.
 Cannot be inferred

(D) Over time, it moved from obscurity to clarity.
 Cannot be inferred

(E) Over time, it moved from density to sparseness.
 Cannot be inferred

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's a great day to be alive!

SN20 · Answer

What should be the ideal time for this passage? 
I took 14mins and got the 7th question wrong.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Hello SN20

Welcome to GMAT Club!

This is a hard-700 level passage so 14 minutes with one incorrect is completely fine. 16-17 minutes for this passage will be fine even.

Good luck

TomKSH · Answer

I took 32min and got 7/8.
I got the 4th question wrong.

VerbalBot · Answer

Hello from the GMAT Club VerbalBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.

The painter Roy Lichtenstein helped to define pop art—the movement tha

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

The painter Roy Lichtenstein helped to define pop art—the movement tha

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards