Question

choose the word to fill in the blank, which best completes the sentence.
like the image above, the ________ often commissioned works of art, claiming to be in the name of relig
a non - ruling class\t\t\t\tc monks and priests
b church patrons\t\t\t\td ruling class

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze the options:

• Option a (non - ruling class): Non - ruling class generally lacks the resources and authority to commission art on a large scale in the context of religious art history.
• Option b (church patrons): Church patrons are those who support the church, but the ruling class (nobility, royalty) often used religious art commissions to show piety and gain social/religious prestige.
• Option c (monks and priests): Monks and priests are part of the religious order, but they usually do not have the secular power and wealth to commission art as extensively as the ruling class.
• Option d (ruling class): In history, the ruling class (kings, nobles) often commissioned religious art. They had the wealth and power to do so, and by commissioning art in the name of religion, they could enhance their reputation as pious rulers and also use art for political and social control. The image seems to be a religious artwork, and the ruling class was a major commissioner of such art.

Answer:

d. ruling class