The principals of the Barnsdall Museum of Art have made the decision to auction several works from its permanent collection in order to fund a renovation of the museum’s entryway, restaurant, and children’s art center. Although this course of action might seem surprising, the museum’s director claims that this action will not weaken the quality of the museum’s collection because the works to be auctioned are those that are considered early in the career's of the artists and therefore unrepresentative of the styles that the artists later gained prominence for. For example, the museum will auction an early work by Jackson Pollock of a man done in a more conventional technique as opposed to his legendary drip technique.

Which one of the following, if true, most weakens the museum director’s claim?

Answer Choices

Correct answer marked below

The quality of an art museum’s collection is determined not only by the quality of its paintings, but also by what the collection expresses about the development of the artistic talent of the artists exhibited at that collection.

Correct

Art museums typically raise funds for activities such as renovations, or the construction of a new wing by means other than auctioning works from their collections.

At the time the museum acquired the works that will now be auctioned, many notable art critics concurred that the works were not particularly representative examples of the artist’s work.

Museum directors typically decry the purchase and sale of art solely for the purpose of financial gain.

Works from the peak on an artist’s career can often sell at prices far beyond what the typical art museum can afford to purchase for its collection.

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Comments

SurenSep 1

thanks, this one was pretty straightforward once I realized it's about what counts as 'quality' of a collection

JannatSep 3

yeah same, the word quality is doing all the work here

NeilJun 29

wait why is B wrong? it feels like it should weaken because there are other ways to raise funds. am I missing something about the scope of the claim?

JohnJun 30

B is about what museums 'typically' do, that doesn't touch whether THIS auction weakens the collection's quality

What this question tests

What it tests

Whether you can identify the option that most undermines an argument's conclusion.

Common trap

Choosing an irrelevant objection or one that attacks the premise rather than the reasoning.