The Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo da Vinci in the early 16th century, was a relatively obscure work for centuries, recognized by art specialists but unknown to most of the general public. Its fame surged dramatically following its theft from the Louvre in 1911 and subsequent recovery in 1913, an episode that filled newspapers worldwide for two years.
Which inference is most strongly supported by the passage?
- A
Newspaper coverage rarely affects the public profile of artworks
- B
The Mona Lisa was unknown to art specialists prior to 1911
- C
The Mona Lisa's fame has always been tied directly to its artistic qualities alone
- Dcheck_circle
Public recognition of an artwork can be shaped by events surrounding the work, not only by its intrinsic qualities
Explanation
A theft generating decades of fame supports B. A and C contradict the news effect; D contradicts the prior specialist recognition described.