How did a harsh critic accidentally name one of art history’s most beloved movements? These medium-difficulty passages discuss how Impressionism transformed from ridicule to reverence in 19th-century France. Follow the journey of Monet and his fellow rebels as they challenged artistic conventions and forever changed how we see the world.
Read the medium difficult passage(s) and answer the question(s) that follows. You can choose the GMAT style Art and Culture Reading Passage and the question or the GRE RC practice variant. Even better, you could try both.
GMAT Passage (Medium difficulty, ~250 words)
The emergence of Impressionism in the mid-1800s followed a distinct progression that fundamentally transformed the art world. Initially, academic painting standards enforced rigid techniques where “serious” artists blended colors and minimized visible brushstrokes to create a “licked” surface appearance. In 1873, Claude Monet’s “Impression: Sunrise” unwittingly launched a new movement when it was exhibited at the first independent show in 1874, provoking conservative painter Joseph Vincent to sarcastically describe it as “not as finished as wallpaper.” This derogatory criticism inadvertently provided the movement’s name, as the term “Impressionist” originally indicated a painter supposedly lacking skill and common sense.
Subsequently, a dedicated group of artists including Monet, Degas, Renoir, Pissarro, and Morisot organized themselves as the “Anonymous Society of Painters, Sculptors, Engravers, etc.” These innovators then staged their first exhibition in Nadar’s studio, deliberately operating outside the prestigious government-sponsored Salon system. Over the next twelve years, they mounted eight groundbreaking shows featuring unconventional subject matter from contemporary urban and rural life. Finally, after 1886, as the movement gained acceptance, gallery dealers began organizing solo exhibitions, allowing each artist to develop their individual careers while their once-radical techniques gradually transformed from controversial rebellion to respected artistic innovation.
Question Type: Inference – Question Difficulty: Medium
Based on the passage, which of the following can most reasonably be inferred about art in the mid-1800s?
- Public exhibitions were primarily restricted to government-sponsored venues
- Art critics had more influence on artists’ reputations than exhibition attendance
- Scenes of everyday contemporary life were not typical subjects for serious painters
- The commercial art market valued technically refined works over experimental styles
- Most painters worked collectively rather than developing individual artistic identities
GMAT Reading Comprehension Question Answer & Explanation ▼
The passage states that Impressionism “featured unconventional subject matter from contemporary urban and rural life” and contrasts this with the academic standards of the time. This subtly indicates that scenes of everyday life were not conventional subjects for serious artists in the mid-1800s, who would have focused on more traditional subjects like historical, religious, or mythological themes.
Correct Answer: Choice (3)
Art and Culture GRE Passage (~170 words):
Impressionism’s evolution from critical mockery to artistic acclaim followed a transformative trajectory in late 19th-century France. Initially, the Parisian art establishment enforced strict standards where proper painting required blended colors and invisible brushstrokes. This tradition was first challenged when Claude Monet exhibited his work “Impression: Sunrise” in 1874, prompting critic Joseph Vincent to dismissively describe it as “not as finished as wallpaper.” Vincent’s sarcastic review labeled Monet an “Impressionist” as an insult, suggesting he lacked skill – yet the artists defiantly adopted this term as their identity. Monet joined with Degas, Renoir, Pissarro, and others to form the “Anonymous Society,” deliberately exhibiting outside the official government-sponsored Salon system. Their distinctive approach – featuring visible brushstrokes and everyday subject matter – shocked viewers accustomed to polished historical and mythological scenes. Over the following twelve years, the group mounted eight exhibitions that steadily gained attention. Finally, by 1886, gallery dealers began organizing solo shows for individual Impressionists, solidifying the movement’s transition from radical outcasts to respected innovators whose techniques revolutionized the artistic landscape.
Question Type: Main Idea – Question Difficulty: Medium-High
The author of the passage is primarily concerned with
- comparing the painting techniques of Impressionists with those of academic artists
- analyzing the critical reception of Impressionism throughout its development
- outlining the sequential development of Impressionism from rejection to acceptance
- arguing that Impressionism represented the most significant artistic movement of the 19th century
- explaining why certain artists chose to break away from traditional painting methods
GRE RC Question Answer & Explanation ▼
The passage traces the chronological progression of Impressionism, beginning with its initial rejection, continuing through the formation of the Anonymous Society and their exhibitions, and concluding with eventual acceptance and recognition. The passage uses sequential markers like “initially,” “first,” and “finally” to outline this developmental process.
Correct Answer: Choice (3)
Leave a Reply