Art as Therapy

This passionate, thought-provoking, often funny, and always-accessible book proposes a new way of looking at art, suggesting that it can be useful, relevant, and therapeutic. Through practical examples, the world-renowned authors argue that certain great works of art have clues as to how to manage the tensions and confusions of modern life. Chapters on love, nature, money, and politics show how art can help with many common difficulties, from forging good relationships to coming to terms with mortality.

“"A highly optimistic vision... Roams widely through subjects as immense as love, nature, money and politics. De Botton and Armstrong's examination of love is most rewarding."-- Royal Academy of Arts "Asking the questions that always swirl through your mind when striding around Tate Modern [...] Art as Therapy [...] massages the mind in all the right places."-- Vanity Fair on Art "...Like going back to college, but in a good way... A little bit like dipping in to a modern day Gombrich albeit through the eyes of Oprah... A really entertaining and thought-provoking look at the role that art plays - or could play - in our lives. [...] Part philosophy, part art history, the book takes work that is considered by many to be lofty and rarified, and relates it to our everyday lives. [ Art as Therapy ] makes the reader consider the work far more intensely and deeply than perhaps we otherwise would."-- A Little Bird "A true meditation on the power art has to transform our lives."-- The Mayfair Magazine? "The beautifully designed and illustrated book, Art as Therapy argues for a new way of using art to help us with a variety of psychological ills."-- The School of Life "A cultural cure for what ails you."-- Elle”

'A cultural cure for what ails you.' – Elle

'A highly optimistic vision... Roams widely through subjects as immense as love, nature, money and politics. De Botton and Armstrong's examination of love is most rewarding.' – Royal Academy of Arts

'Massages the mind in all the right places.' – Vanity Fair

'...Like going back to college, but in a good way... A little bit like dipping in to a modern day Gombrich albeit through the eyes of Oprah... A really entertaining and thought-provoking look at the role that art plays – or could play – in our lives. [...] Part philosophy, part art history, the book takes work that is considered by many to be lofty and rarified, and relates it to our everyday lives. [Art as Therapy] makes the reader consider the work far more intensely and deeply than perhaps we otherwise would.' – A Little Bird

'A true meditation on the power art has to transform our lives.' – The Mayfair Magazine

'The beautifully designed and illustrated book, Art as Therapy argues for a new way of using art to help us with a variety of psychological ills.' – The School of Life

Alain de Botton is the author of bestselling books, including The Consolations of Philosophy, How Proust Can Change Your Life, Status Anxiety, and Religion for Atheists. He founded The School of Life in 2008, an organization which - from branches around the world - supplies good ideas for everyday life in the form of books, workshops, and talks. In 2009 he founded Living Architecture, which makes high-quality architecture accessible to everyone.

John Armstrong is a philosopher and art theorist based at Melbourne University in Australia. He is the author of several well-received books, including The Intimate Philosophy of Art, and Conditions of Love.

This passionate, thought-provoking, often funny, and always-accessible book proposes a new way of looking at art, suggesting that it can be useful, relevant, and therapeutic. Through practical examples, the world-renowned authors argue that certain great works of art have clues as to how to manage the tensions and confusions of modern life. Chapters on love, nature, money, and politics show how art can help with many common difficulties, from forging good relationships to coming to terms with mortality.

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