: Impressionism was “born” in 1874 when an art critic reviewed the exhibition of several artists
at Nader’s photography studio in Paris. Very unimpressed with Monet’s 1872 printing entitled “Impression Sunrise,” the critic used the term impression and later the word impressionist derogatorily. The name stuck and was worn almost as a badge of honor by the artists who used methods and style similar to Monet’s, and Monet became known as the Father of Impressionism. One might think that this radical departure from the accepted norm rose full blown in Monet and that his comrades merely followed his lead. This oversimplification is natural for laypersons, but it is akin to saying Darwin discovered evolution, or Freud discovered the unconscious mind. While all three men are indisputably tied to the concepts with which we identify them, their true genius and claim to being discovered or “Father of . . .” lies more in their ability to synthesize rather than to create.
Which statement best expresses the central idea of this paragraph?
A.Monet became known as the Father of Impressionism after a critic reviewed an 1874 exhibition in Paris.
B.Monet’s genius, like that of Darwin or Freud, lies more in the ability to synthesize than in the ability to create.
C.Oversimplification is natural for the layperson viewing Monet’s art.
D. A derogatory name can sometimes be worn as a badge of honor as it was for Monet and his fellow artists.
A
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