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Difficulty: MediumDrawing Valid Inferences

Dendrochronological analysis of oak panels used by seventeenth-century Dutch master painters demonstrates that all timber imported from the Baltic region between 1620 and 1650 was derived from slow-growing old-growth trees. Oak felled in the Baltic during these three decades consistently exhibits narrow growth rings containing high structural density. Panels crafted from this Baltic oak resist warping significantly better than panels made from domestic Dutch oak. Historical records confirm that Rembrandt van Rijn painted exclusively on wooden panels made from Baltic oak between 1630 and 1645. However, after 1645, trade blockades completely halted Baltic timber shipments to Amsterdam for over ten years.

If the statements above are true, which of the following must also be true on the basis of them?

  1. A
    Rembrandt was forced to switch to canvas for all of his paintings produced immediately following the 1645 timber trade blockades.
  2. Any wooden panel on which Rembrandt painted between 1630 and 1645 was constructed from timber that possessed high structural density.Answer
  3. C
    Domestic Dutch oak was never utilized by Dutch master painters prior to the implementation of the 1645 trade blockades.
  4. D
    The superior warp resistance of Baltic oak panels caused Dutch painters to prefer them over all other artistic media in the seventeenth century.
  5. E
    Baltic oak imported after 1650 lacked the narrow growth rings characteristic of Baltic timber imported between 1620 and 1650.

Answer

Any wooden panel on which Rembrandt painted between 1630 and 1645 was constructed from timber that possessed high structural density.
The correct answer combines two explicit facts: Rembrandt painted exclusively on Baltic oak between 1630 and 1645, and all Baltic oak imported between 1620 and 1650 possessed high structural density. Because the 1630–1645 timeframe is entirely contained within 1620–1650, any wooden panel Rembrandt painted on during that period must have high structural density.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the given premises in the passage
Premise 1: All Baltic timber imported between 1620 and 1650 came from old-growth trees with narrow growth rings and high structural density. Premise 2: Rembrandt painted exclusively on wooden panels made from Baltic oak between 1630 and 1645.
Establishing the explicit facts provided in the text defines the strict boundaries of what can be logically inferred.
2
Connect the premises logically
Because 1630–1645 falls entirely within the 1620–1650 window, any Baltic oak used by Rembrandt during 1630–1645 must have been imported during the 1620–1650 period.
Valid inferences require combining premises without introducing outside assumptions.
3
Deduce the necessary conclusion
Every wooden panel Rembrandt used between 1630 and 1645 necessarily possessed high structural density.
Since all timber from that source and timeframe had high structural density, any panel sourced from it must share that property.

Key Concept

Drawing Valid Inferences via Categorical Syllogism
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Drawing Valid Inferences

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