Question

The passage given below is followed by four alternate summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
There’s a common idea that museum artworks are somehow timeless objects available to admire for generations to come. But many are objects of decay. Even the most venerable Old Master paintings don’t escape: pigments discolour, varnishes crack, canvases warp. This challenging fact of art-world life is down to something that sounds more like a thread from a morality tale: inherent vice. Damien Hirst’s iconic shark floating in a tank – entitled The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living – is a work that put a spotlight on inherent vice. When he made it in 1991, Hirst got himself in a pickle by not using the right kind of pickle to preserve the giant fish. The result was that the shark began to decompose quite quickly – its preserving liquid clouding, the skin wrinkling, and an unpleasant smell wafting from the tank.

• A. The role of museums has evolved to ensure that the artworks are preserved forever in addition to guarding and displaying them.
• B. Artworks may not last forever; they may deteriorate with time, and the challenge is to slow down their degeneration.
• C. Museums are left with the moral responsibility of restoring and preserving the artworks since artists cannot preserve their works beyond their life.
• D. Museums have to guard timeless art treasures from intrinsic defects such as the deterioration of paint, polish and canvas.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Contrary to the belief that museum art is eternal and will always be appreciated, artworks are prone to degradation. This is illustrated by the decay of both Old Master paintings and Damien Hirst's creations. The notion of "inherent vice," the natural tendency of materials to break down, is central. Hirst's shark's decomposition, caused by improper preservation, serves as a prime example. The most fitting summary is: Artworks are not immortal; they degrade over time, and the key challenge lies in mitigating this decline. This summary stresses that deterioration is unavoidable and that conservation is crucial for extending the longevity of art.