The following text is about art history.
The Impressionists' rejection of academic painting conventions was less total than often portrayed. While they abandoned some rules—painting outdoors, using visible brushstrokes—they retained others: adherence to perspective, representational subject matter, oil on canvas. What seemed radical in 1874 appears moderate next to the abstraction that followed. Art historians now see Impressionism as a transitional moment: revolutionary enough to open doors to modernism, yet traditional enough that those doors opened onto recognizable territory.
How does the text characterize Impressionism's relationship to tradition?
As a complete rejection of all artistic conventions
As both breaking with some traditions while retaining others
As more radical than abstract art that followed
As unchanged from academic painting
Correct Answer: B
Choice B is the correct answer. The text notes abandonment of some rules "while they retained others," describing Impressionism as "revolutionary enough...yet traditional enough."
- Evidence: Broke some rules; kept perspective, representation, oil.
- Reasoning: Partial rather than total rejection.
- Conclusion: Mixed relationship with tradition.
Choice A is incorrect because many conventions were retained. Choice C is incorrect because it "appears moderate next to the abstraction that followed." Choice D is incorrect because significant changes were made.