What do art historians theorize is the explanation for the resurgence of stone sculpture in the Romanesque period?

A) Sculptural programs could serve as much-needed large-scale employment projects.
B) Sculptural programs entertained the monks and clergy in their otherwise quiet lives.
C) Sculptural programs were less labor intensive and less expensive than wall painting.
D) Sculptural programs were a means to educate and impress an illiterate audience.

Stone Sculpture

Artistic works created by carving or assembling stone into three-dimensional representations of objects, figures, or abstract shapes.

Romanesque Period

An architectural style of medieval Europe characterized by semi-circular arches, robust structure, and decorative arcading.

Sculptural Programs

Refers to coordinated sets of sculptures or sculptural decorations that are designed to convey a unified thematic or narrative message, often found in architectural contexts.