Comprehension: Read the passage carefully and answer the question that follows it.
Every artist's work, unless he be a hermit creating solely for his own satisfaction and with no need of sales, is to some extent socially conditioned: He depends upon the approval of his patrons. soclal conditioning is, of course, part of the field of study of the social anthropologist, yet I am not aware that the soclal conditioning artists has ever beenlseriously studied.
That such study Is needed for the proper appraisal of traditional African art is evident enough when we note that subject, that the carver's hand is so closely controlled by the custom of centuries that the credit for any creative imagination which is apparent in his work is due, not to him, but to the long/succession of his predecessors.
Of course, there is an element of trust in this vlew of the tribal artist' as copyist, but is hardly more valid the African than for the European artist. In both cases the work of artist is the outcome of a dielectric between the informing tradition and the individual genius pf the artist, and in both the relative strength of these two forces may vary almost infinitely.
To assess the personal ingredient in an African carving is no easy matter, especially if one is confronted with a rare or unique piece in an unfamiliar style: but the considerations involved are much the same as those employed in European art criticism.
Which of the following represents the writer's view about African art in relation to European art?
A. The African artist is influenced by his society, but the European artist is not B. in both African and European art there is a blend of tradition and individual creativity C. few works of art are entirely original D. the individual artist needs to be Informed about the traditions of the society E. African artists are more imitative than European artist
