The invention of oil painting is traditionally credited to the Flemish painter Jan van Eyck in the early 15th century. This medium allowed for greater detail and luminosity than the egg tempera used previously. However, technical analysis of 7th-century murals in the Bamiyan caves of Afghanistan has revealed the use of drying oils as a binding agent for pigments centuries before van Eyck. If this analysis is correct, it suggests that ______
Which choice most logically completes the text?
Jan van Eyck traveled to Afghanistan to learn painting techniques.
the chemical composition of oil paints in the 15th century was identical to that of the 7th century.
the practice of using oil-based paints predates the European Renaissance by hundreds of years.
oil painting was strictly limited to religious murals until the 15th century.
Correct Answer: C
Choice C is the best answer. The text states that oil painting is credited to van Eyck (15th century) but was found in 7th-century murals in Afghanistan. This evidence suggests that the technique existed long before van Eyck's time.
Choice A is incorrect because there is no evidence in the text that van Eyck traveled to Afghanistan. Choice B is incorrect because the text only establishes the use of drying oils, not an identical chemical composition. Choice D is incorrect because the text only provides one example (Bamiyan), which does not prove strict limitation to religious murals.