LSAT Explanation PT 44, S4, Q15: Artists have different ways of producing

LSAT Question Stem

If the statements above are true, then which one of the following must also be true? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Must Be True question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is E. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

In this LSAT problem, we are given a passage that discusses how artists have different ways of producing contours and hatching, and how analysis of these stylistic features can help distinguish works by a famous artist from forgeries and works genuinely by other artists. It also mentions that many drawings formerly attributed to Michelangelo have been found to be by Giulio Clovio, Michelangelo's contemporary. The question asks us to identify which statement must be true if the information in the passage is true. This is a Must Be True (MBT) question type.

Let's break down the passage information:

1. Different contour and hatching styles can help distinguish an artist's work from forgeries and works by other artists.

2. Analysis has shown that many drawings attributed to Michelangelo are actually by Giulio Clovio.

From these facts, we can infer that there must be a noticeable difference between Michelangelo's and Clovio's contour and hatching styles, which allows experts to distinguish between their works.

Now, let's analyze each answer choice:

a) Contours and hatching are the main features that distinguish the drawing styles of different artists.

- The passage only mentions that contours and hatching can help distinguish between artists' works, but it does not claim that they are the main features. So, this answer choice is not necessarily true.

b) Many of the drawings formerly attributed to Michelangelo are actually forgeries.

- The passage states that many drawings attributed to Michelangelo are actually by Giulio Clovio, but it does not mention forgeries. So, this answer choice is not necessarily true.

c) No forgery can perfectly duplicate the contour and hatching styles of a famous artist.

- The passage only states that analysis of contour and hatching styles can help distinguish between artists' works, but it does not claim that no forgery can perfectly duplicate these styles. So, this answer choice is not necessarily true.

d) The contour and hatching styles used to identify the drawings of Clovio cited can be shown to be features of all Clovio's works.

- We cannot be sure that every single work by Clovio contains the same hatching and contour styles. The passage only states that analysis of these styles can help distinguish between artists' works. So, this answer choice is not necessarily true.

e) There is an analyzable difference between Clovio's contour and hatching styles and those of Michelangelo.

- This answer choice is correct because it aligns with the inference we made earlier. If the analysis of contour and hatching styles can distinguish between Michelangelo's and Clovio's works, there must be an analyzable difference between their styles.