LSAT Explanation PT 28, S3, Q24: Surviving seventeenth-century Dutch landscapes attributed to

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Strengthen question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the argument in the passage. The passage states that the number of surviving seventeenth-century Dutch landscapes attributed to major artists is equal to those attributed to minor artists. The author then provides a premise, stating that in the seventeenth century, many minor artists supplied the market with Dutch landscapes, while only a few major artists painted in this genre. Based on this premise, the author concludes that many attributions of seventeenth-century Dutch landscape paintings to major artists are undoubtedly erroneous.

Now, let's create an "Evaluate" question about the argument: "Is there any evidence that suggests the attributions of landscape paintings to major artists may be incorrect?"

The question type of this problem is Strengthen, and we are asked to identify the answer choice that most strengthens the argument.

a) This answer choice states that technically gifted landscape artists developed recognizable styles that were difficult to imitate. This doesn't directly strengthen the argument, as it doesn't provide any evidence that attributions to major artists are erroneous. It could even potentially weaken the argument, as it might suggest that major artists' works are more easily identifiable.

b) This answer choice discusses the role of assistants in the workshops of major artists. While it provides information about the work environment, it does not provide any evidence that attributions of landscape paintings to major artists are erroneous. The assistants' role in preparing materials doesn't necessarily mean that they were the ones painting or that their work was misattributed to major artists.

c) This answer choice provides an alternative explanation for the equal number of surviving landscape paintings between major and minor artists. It suggests that landscapes by minor artists were often destroyed, which could explain the discrepancy in numbers. However, it does not strengthen the argument that attributions to major artists are erroneous.

d) This answer choice directly strengthens the argument by providing evidence that minor artists were paid extra money to leave their landscapes unsigned, allowing dealers to add phony signatures and pass off the works as valuable paintings by major artists. This supports the conclusion that many attributions of seventeenth-century Dutch landscape paintings to major artists are erroneous.

e) This answer choice states that more seventeenth-century Dutch landscapes were painted than have survived, for both minor and major artists. While it provides information about the total number of paintings, it does not specifically strengthen the argument that attributions to major artists are erroneous.

Based on the analysis of the answer choices, the correct answer is D, as it provides direct evidence that supports the conclusion that many attributions of seventeenth-century Dutch landscape paintings to major artists are erroneous.