Although I am Familiar With Rembrandt's Work, Through Photographs GMAT Reading Comprehension

Reading Passage Question

Although I am familiar with Rembrandt's work, through photographs and black and white reproductions, I invariably experience a shock from the colour standpoint whenever I come in touch with one of his pictures. I was especially struck with that masterpiece of his at the Hermitage, called the ‘Slav Prince’, which, by the way, I am convinced is a portrait of himself; anyone who has had the idea suggested cannot doubt it for a moment; it is Rembrandt's own face without question. The reproductions I have seen of this picture, and, in fact, of all Rembrandt's works, are so poor and so unsatisfactory that I was determined, after my visit to St. Petersburg, to devise a means by which facsimile reproductions in colour of Rembrandt's pictures could be set before the public. The black and white reproductions and the photographs I put on one side at once, because of the impossibility of suggesting colour thereby.

Rembrandt has been reproduced in photograph and photogravure, and by every mechanical process imaginable, but all such reproductions are not only disappointing, but wrong. The light and shade have never been given their true value, and as for colour, it has scarcely been attempted.

After many years of careful thought and consideration as to the best, or the only possible, manner of giving to those who love the master a work which should really be a genuine reproduction of his pictures, I have adapted and developed the modern process of color printing, so as to bring it into sympathy with the subject.

“Although I am familiar with Rembrandt's work, through photographs and black and white reproductions”- is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.

This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 3 comprehension questions. The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions are designed for the purpose of testing candidates’ abilities in understanding, analyzing, and applying information or concepts. Candidates can actively prepare with the help of GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.

Solution and Explanation

Question 1
Which of the following would the author most probably agree with?

(A) Rembrandt’s paintings have been reproduced effectively in black and white
(B) The works of Rembrandt have been misrepresented
(C) Facsimile reproductions of Rembrandt’s paintings are available in St. Petersburg
(D) The interplay of light and shade in Rembrandt’s paintings has never completely been replicated
(E) Rembrandt’s paintings are a disappointment to the public

Answer: D
Explanation: As mentioned in the 2nd pargraph. “Rembrandt has been reproduced in photograph and photogravure. By every mechanical process imaginable, but all such reproductions are not only disappointing, but wrong. The light and shade have never been given their true value, and as for colour, it has scarcely been attempted.”

Question 2
Why does the author mention the ‘Slav Prince’ in the passage?

(A) To provide an example of Rembrandt’s work that does not measure up to his other works
(B) To prove that the Slav Prince is a portrait of Rembrandt himself
(C) To provide an example of a problem he mentions earlier in the passage
(D) To assert that color printing was the only way to reproduce great works of art such as the Slav Prince
(E) To highlight the importance of using the right colors in a painting

Answer: C
Explanation: In the first paragraph. The author mentions, “I invariably experience a shock from the colour standpoint whenever I come in touch with one of his pictures. I was especially struck with that masterpiece of his at the Hermitage, called the Slav Prince.” He says this in order proves that the colour issue is especially present in the mentioned painting.

Question 3
Which of the following can be concluded about the Slav Prince from the information in the passage?

(A) It is a self portrait of Rembrandt
(B) It is Rembrandt’s best work ever
(C) No other work of Rembrandt has been reproduced as many times as the Slav Prince
(D) The colors of this painting can be improved through color printing
(E) It is housed at The Hermitage

Answer: E
Explanation: The best choice is option E. "I was especially captivated with that masterwork of his at the Hermitage," the passage states. This is the right response because there is no justification for the author to have lied about the painting's location.

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