Explanation
Correct answer: D.
Choice D is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of the sculptor Constantin Brâncuşi. The text establishes Brâncuşi’s significance by noting that although he belonged to neither the minimalist nor the abstract art movements, he heavily influenced both—a detail that signals his importance to the history of art. At the same time, the text notes that the exacting standards to which Brâncuşi held his work meant that he produced relatively few pieces over his career. Because the text presents both Brâncuşi’s major artistic influence and his limited output, it is reasonable to infer that the disparity the text identifies is between his importance to the history of art and his total artistic output.
Why the other choices are wrong
Choice A
Choice A is incorrect because the text explicitly identifies Brâncuşi’s Bird in Space as “a famous example” of how the artist conveyed his preferred themes—in this case, a bird in flight—through simplicity bordering on abstraction. Thus, this particular sculpture is consistent with the nature of much of Brâncuşi’s work instead of showing a disparity, or marked difference, with it.
Choice B
Choice B is incorrect because the text indicates that Brâncuşi returned to the same few themes, suggesting limited thematic diversity. Since his productivity and his thematic diversity were both limited, these two aspects of Brâncuşi’s work are consistent with each other instead of showing a disparity, or a marked difference.
Choice C
Choice C is incorrect because although the text mentions that Brâncuşi heavily influenced both the minimalist and abstract art movements, it doesn’t discuss the specific themes favored by artists in those movements. There is therefore no basis for identifying a disparity between Brâncuşi’s themes and those of artists he inspired.