The author refers to an “irony of the art world.” Based on this selection, which one of the following statements expresses what the author means by this?
A) The most expensive art-handling accident did not happen on the way to a museum; it was on its way to Mars.
B) Handlers plot the movement of every object being transported like it is a delicately choreographed dance.
C) Every detail about art being shipped is thoroughly documented, yet the handlers who protect it are mostly nameless.
D) Masterpieces worth hundreds of millions of dollars travel in unmarked, ordinary crates and trucks.
The correct answer is C) Every detail about art being shipped is thoroughly documented, yet the handlers who protect it are mostly nameless.
Explanation: The irony referred to by the author lies in the contrast between the high value placed on the artwork and the lack of recognition for the individuals responsible for its safe transport. While every detail about the art is meticulously recorded, the handlers remain largely anonymous, highlighting a paradox in how society values art versus the people who care for it. This emphasizes the underlying irony in the art world where the artwork is celebrated, but the dedication of those who protect it often goes unnoticed.