You are correct. Answer E is wrong because the passage does not describe the history of the misinterpretation that Luminist paintings are spiritual and imply a tranquil mysticism that contrasts with earlier American artists' conceptions of nature. Rather, the passage is attempting to demonstrate why the author's analysis and conclusions - that a closer examination of the transcendental atmosphere of Luminist paintings represents nature's domestication and adaptation to human use - is stronger than the commonly accepted analysis and its conclusions. This is particularly reflected by Lines 14 to 18: "The prosaic factors that are revealed by a closer examination of these works suggest that the glowing appearance of nature in Luminism is actually a sign of nature's domestication, its adaptation to human use." The author's claim that these factors are revealed upon closer examination suggests that the author believes that the original critics failed to adequately analyze the work of the Luminists. In this way, the author is attempting to replace an inadequate analysis with their own; a purpose that is directly restated by answer choice B.
Hope this is helpful! Please let us know if you have any further questions.
