Question

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Explanation:

Identify the underlined claim in Text 1

Text 1 claims that in the city of Bologna, the first artist to depict themselves painting was Annibale Carracci, in a painting from around 1585 showing him in front of an easel holding a palette.

Analyze the evidence in Text 2

Text 2 states that Lavinia Fontana's 1577 painting, Self-Portrait at the Keyboard, stands out as the earliest example of such a work (referring to the act of painting) by an artist from Bologna, because in the background, one can spot a painting easel by a window.

Evaluate the relationship between the texts

Since Fontana's painting is from 1577 and contains a reference to the artist's craft (the easel in the background), it predates Carracci's 1585 painting. Therefore, the author of Text 2 would argue that Fontana's work is an earlier Bolognese self-portrait referencing the artist's craft than Carracci's.

Answer:

• (A) Self-Portrait at the Keyboard was painted earlier than Carracci's painting, and also refers to the artist's craft. (Correct answer)
• (B) Carracci and Fontana were among the most well-respected painters in Bologna at the time.
• (C) Fontana likely inspired the reference to an easel and palette in Carracci's painting.
• (D) The depiction of Fontana in Self-Portrait at the Keyboard