The figures in portraits by the Spanish painter El Greco (15411614) a

Question

Which of the following most logically completes the passage?

The figures in portraits by the Spanish painter El Greco (1541–1614) are systematically elongated. In El Greco’s time, the intentional distortion of human figures was unprecedented in European painting. Consequently, some critics have suggested that El Greco had an astigmatism, a type of visual impairment, that resulted in people appearing to him in the distorted way that is characteristic of his paintings. However, this suggestion cannot be the explanation, because______________.

(A) several twentieth-century artists have consciously adopted from El Greco’s paintings the systematic elongation of the human form

(B) some people do have elongated bodies somewhat like those depicted in El Greco’s portraits

(C) if El Greco had an astigmatism, then, relative to how people looked to him, the elongated figures in his paintings would have appeared to him to be distorted

(D) even if El Greco had an astigmatism, there would have been no correction for it available in the period in which he lived

(E) there were non-European artists, even in El Greco’s time, who included in their works human figures that were intentionally distorted

GMATNinja · Accepted Answer

First, let’s consider the structure of the passage:

Some critics have concluded that Greco had an astigmatism (visual impairment) that caused him to paint people in a distorted way. 
 This is because Greco’s paintings have figures that are systematically elongated. 
 And that style is likely not intentional because it would have been unprecedented in Europe during Greco’s time. 
 Nevertheless, the author concludes that an astigmatism CANNOT explain the distorted figure in Greco’s paintings.

We’re left to wonder why the author concludes the astigmatism could not explain Greco’s painting style. After all, if the style was unprecedented, then it seems very possible that an astigmatism could explain why Greco painted the way that he did. Moreover, it’s one thing to say that another explanation is likely. But the author goes further and concludes an astigmatism absolutely CANNOT explain Greco’s style.

The blank that logically completes the passage should tell us why the author does not think that an astigmatism can explain the elongated figures in Greco’s paintings. With that in mind, let’s consider the answer choices:

The fact that artists, hundreds of years after Greco, adopted Greco’s painting style does not necessarily suggest that Greco did not have an astigmatism. It indicates that it’s possible to paint elongated figures without a visual impairment, but it still does nothing to suggest that an astigmatism cannot explain Greco’s style. Eliminate (A).

Even if  some  people have elongated bodies like those in Greco’s portraits, the figures in Greco’s paintings are  systematically  elongated. Moreover, (B) only indicates that  some  people’s bodies are  somewhat  like those in Greco’s portraits. The force of the evidence provided by (B) is weak, and it certainly is not strong enough to conclude that an astigmatism  cannot  explain the elongated figures in Greco’s paintings. Eliminate (B).

(C) suggests that if Greco really had an astigmatism, then the elongated figures in his paintings would look different than the figures he saw in real life. This is interesting because the entire premise of the other critics’ argument is that Greco painted the way that he did because it would have matched how he saw people in everyday life. If this is not the case, then the elongated figures in Greco’s paintings would have looked unprecedented to him too. This means that Greco did not paint the way that he did merely because of his astigmatism. And an astigmatism would not explain Greco’s style. Let’s keep (C).

If there was no correction for astigmatism available when Greco lived, we have all the more reason to believe that it’s possible that an astigmatism affected Greco’s paintings. This is the opposite of what the author is arguing, so we can eliminate (D).

(E) is tempting. It suggests that it’s possible Greco was influenced by non-European artists who included intentionally distorted figures in their works. The problem is that this does not support the force with which the author argues for his/her conclusion. Sure, Greco could have been influenced by non-Europeans, but that doesn’t mean that an astigmatism CANNOT explain the elongated figures. Eliminate (E).

(C) is the only answer choice remaining, and it is correct.

I hope that helps!

gmatgirl001 · Answer

While answering the question, I didn't understand C, so I went with B. But thinking more about answer C, here is my understanding

Lets say El Greco sees a 6 feet guy and due to astigmatism, he perceives him to be 12 feet (he sees things twice as long). 
Now when he draws it, if he draws it to be 6 feet, then when he looks at his painting, it will look 12 feet to him, the same as how he perceives a real human. 
If he draws it at 12 feet, when he looks back at his painting, he'll see it as 24 feet, which will not match the 12 feet person he visually perceives. The painting would look distorted to him. 
Hence the size of a person in his paintings should match the size of the real person, so that with his astigmatism, he sees both of the same size. 
Hence C makes sense. But it's really hard to get this level of understanding in 2 minutes (including time of reading question and all answers).

martie11 · Answer

I will have to say C as well.

A - does not address Greco's condition
B - same as A and does not mean that these people were alive during his time
D - irrelevant
E - same as A; did other artists have astigmatism? Could be 'yes' or 'no'

...so go with C.

Thanks for the question.

subhashghosh · Answer

The answer is C. I arrived at the answer by POE, and the legendary Ron Purewal says so too

https://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/gma ... t9634.html

jakegil · Answer

C.
If the elongated figures in his paintings have appeared to him to be distorted, the figures in portraits by El Greco would not have been SYSTEMATICALLY elongated.

casaudom99 · Answer

Premise 1: The figures in El Greco's paintings are systematically enlongated Premise 2: In his time, the intentional enlongated never happen in the ealier Premise 3: Astigmatism is a type of visual impairment that results in people appearing to patient in the enlogated way... Conclusion: El Greco had astigmatism A. Strengthen one B. Elongating figures in painting of some people do not prove that El Greco did not have astigmatism, maybe they all had astigmatism

=> irrelevant D. There is no correction for astigmatism cannot prove that El Greco did not have this disease E. Is the same with B C. If El Greco had astigmatism, then, relative to how people looked to him, the elongated figures in his paintings would have appeared to him to be distorted. => What did thisilsentence say? According to my understand, the figures in El Greco painting s will be distorted double times through 1st is elongated figures and 2nd El Greco's eyes (because of astigmatism) to become normal.

12bhang · Answer

On reading this question in forums, I found that some people thought this was a C&E argument and felt that providing an alternate cause will serve as a weakener. However, we do not want to weaken the argument. 
We want to make sure that this explanation is not the correct explanation. i.e in c&e terms, X led to Y is the conclusion. 
we have to prove X cannot lead to Y.
 Choice B is talking about some people-not as people in general as a whole. 
so maybe this choice does throw some doubt over the conclusion, but does not destroy it. 
choice e, providing the example of non european arguments, says that they intentionally distorted the images. Again, this serves as a weakener. but does not destroy the conclusion completely. 
To understand choice C, refer to the attachment

HKD1710 · Answer

Premise-1:  The figures in portraits by the Spanish painter El Greco (1541–1614) are systematically elongated

Premise-2:  In El Greco’s time, the intentional distortion of human figures was unprecedented in European painting.

Intermediate Conclusion:  Consequently, some critics have suggested that El Greco had an astigmatism, a type of visual impairment, that resulted in people appearing to him in the distorted way that is characteristic of his paintings

Conclusion:  this suggestion cannot be the explanation

To Prove:  The distortion in the human figures found in the Greco’s paintings is NOT the result of visual impairment, an astigmatism.

(A) several twentieth-century artists have consciously adopted from El Greco’s paintings the systematic elongation of the human form
 
We are not looking forward to prove that 20th century artists ADOPTED Greco’s paintings. Logic behind this incorrect choice to make it seem correct is that IF THIS DISTORTION CAN BE ADOPTED THEN IT IS CHOICE THAT A PAINTER MAKES NOT A RESULT OF ASTIGMATISM. But as a test taker I can’t prove it. hence this fact cannot work as “TO PROVE”.

(B) some people do have elongated bodies somewhat like those depicted in El Greco’s portraits

People having elongated body is not the point of discussion BUT elongation in paintings found is intentional or due to impairment is.

(C) if El Greco had an astigmatism, then, relative to how people looked to him, the elongated figures in his paintings would have appeared to him to be distorted

This choice helps “TO PROVE”. If a painter has visual impairment then how come distortion does not occur related to how people looked at him. This proves that the distortion is intentional not resulted by astigmatism

(D) even if El Greco had an astigmatism, there would have been no correction for it available in the period in which he lived

This choice is neutral. Doesn’t help “To prove”.
Greco has astigmatism ---- Paintings have distorted figures.
Greco doesn’t astigmatism ---- Paintings have distorted figures.

(E) there were non-European artists, even in El Greco’s time, who included in their works human figures that were intentionally distorted
 
This could be one tricky choice. BUT if we keep the SCOPE in mind then we can eliminate it. Argument talks about EUROPEANS and this choice discuss non-European BUT no connection is provided. We have no clue whether Europeans and non-Europeans used to follow arts or cultures of each other.

vnigam21 · Answer

BEST ANALOGY TO UNDERSTAND OPTION C Quickly AND Easily,
 
  if you still don't understand, then look through a magnifying glass at a letter, make a copy of the letter (while still looking through the glass), and then take the magnifying glass away. the letters will be the same size.

harshbirajdar · Answer

Similar question with a different stem and different options -  https://gmatclub.com/forum/in-persons-with-astigmatism-the-clear-outer-layer-of-the-eye-is-defor-322533.html

EatMyDosa · Answer

Hi  GMATNinja ,  VeritasKarishma ,  egmat

Could you please help me understand what does option C actually mean?  My reasoning for rejecting option C  is as follows:

If El Greco had visual impairment (astigmatism) then people would have appeared to him in a distorted way and he would have painted portraits of those same people exactly (i.e. distorted) as he perceived them. Therefore, to El Greco, his paintings would not have appeared distorted.

I  selected option A  for the following reason:

If several 20th century artists consciously adopted the technique of systematic elongation of human form from El Greco's paintings, then it shows that the technique could have been developed or practiced consciously by EG (as  it was replicable  --other artists adopted it) and that his style was not a result of some visual impairment.

Had it been a result of some visual impairment then how could several other artists who didn't have (most likely) any visual impairment could have adopted his style?

KarishmaB · Answer

Check this out: https://gmatclub.com/forum/in-persons-w ... l#p2513048 Same question in a different format. (A) doesn't help here because it does nothing to tell us the reason why El Greco started painting in this way. Other artists started copying him and making longer faces is irrelevant. He started a trend an others followed. Point is what made him start the trend.

Nups1324 · Answer

Hi VeritasKarishma

I checked your explanation on the similar question,which is linked in the above explanation. I understood your explanation but I'm still confused.

So you mean to say that he sees a person with a round shape head but instead he draws a ellipse shape head of that person in his painting. Which means that Greco has a perception problem rather than a visual problem?

Case 1
Person has round shape head.
Greco sees round, draws round.

Greco is normal.

Case 2
Person has round shape head.
Greco sees round, draws ellipse.

Greco has perception problem.

Case 3
Person has round shape head.
Greco sees ellipse, draws ellipse.

Greco has visual problem called A.

Case 4
Person has round shape head.
Greco sees ellipse, draws round.

Greco has both visual and perception problem.

So where does C fit into all these..?

I really liked your explanation and I thought I understood but when I came back to this question I was confused.

It'll be great if you could solve my doubt.

Thank you

Posted from my mobile device

KarishmaB · Answer

I don't know how you are distinguishing visual/perception problems. Greco has a problem in his eye so EVERYTHING he sees is distorted.

Think about it this way: You have perfect vision. You see a person with a round face. You see the perfect painting of that person which will again have a round face.

Now Greco has distorted vision. He sees a person with a round face but sees an ellipse. He sees a painting of a person with a round face. He will see the face as an ellipse there on the painting too because his own vision is distorted. So EVERY circle will look like an ellipse to him, whether in real life or in a painting.

So this is what happens:
A person has a round face. Greco sees an ellipse (distorted vision of the person).
Greco starts drawing. He moves his pencil around as per what he sees on the paper (again distorted vision on paper). 
He draws a round face. He sees it as an ellipse (because of distorted vision). He thinks he has captured the reality perfectly on paper (which is correct). Just that in his mind, the face is an ellipse but the way a normal person sees it is a circle.

Does this help?

Nups1324 · Answer

Hi VeritasKarishma Okay, this is perfectly clear but then how does Option C fit as the correct answer, if this is the correct meaning..? I'll break it down. "Consequently, some critics have suggested that El Greco had an astigmatism, a type of visual impairment, that resulted in people appearing to him in the distorted way that is characteristic of his paintings." This part says that some critics suggest that Greco had a distorted vision (which is nothing but astigmatism) thus he saw people in distorted way and the same was reflected in his paintings. Right? "However, this suggestion cannot be the explanation, because______________." Now this part starts with "However", which indicates that an alternative explanation has to be there. Because however is used to introduce a counter view isn't it? But option C tells us that "If he had astigmatism, then just like the people the paintings would've appeared to him as distorted as well" which is nothing but the same information we get from the critics' suggestion. This is my understanding of the whole scenario. If I'm missing anything, please help me understand it. Thank you

KarishmaB · Answer

Some people say: El Greco had an astigmatism, a type of visual impairment, that resulted in people appearing to him in the distorted way that is characteristic of his paintings.

However, this suggestion cannot be the explanation, because______________.

His astigmatism cannot be the reason he made distorted faces because _______

We already understand that astigmatism cannot be the reason for distorted faces because as we have discussed, even with astigmatism, he would have reproduced reality perfectly. He would not have produced distorted images.

Option (C) says the same thing.

(C) if El Greco had an astigmatism, then, relative to how people looked to him, the elongated figures in his paintings would have appeared to him to be distorted

If he had astigmatism, when he would look at this own paintings with astigmatic eyes, the elongated figures he drew would look even more distorted to him and he would see that they do not represent reality.

Nups1324 · Answer

Hi VeritasKarishma I'm sorry for such a late reply. I wanted to not ask you to explain it in more detail for then I would've not developed the ability to think holistically. Finally, I understood this. Damn..this was something. I will always remember this. I have been reading this question and your explanation multiple times over the past few days but every time I failed to understand the reasoning. Today, I sat down with a clear mind and re-read it and really made an effort to understand. This was a really good question. Thank you so much for explanation it to me in such detail.

KarishmaB · Answer

Reading that you faced such problems understanding it, I thought of an easier way to explain this - Think of someone wearing pink tinted sunglasses permanently. 
He sees a white flower and it looks pink to him.
He looks at his palette and white color looks pink to him. He picks up the color and paints a flower with it. His painting looks like a painting of a pink flower to him. 
Note that he has depicted the reality the way it is because his perspective is the same everywhere. 
That is what the question wants you to realise. And yes, it is a good question.

Laksh47 · Answer

GMATNinja

Could you provide an elaborate explanation of this question please?
Thanks

The figures in portraits by the Spanish painter El Greco (15411614) a

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 Critical Reasoning (CR) Questions

The figures in portraits by the Spanish painter El Greco (15411614) a

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