The Rape of the Masters

I'm reading a new book. In a word it's ...excellent! It does many things at once. The author, Roger Kimball, has taken seven famous works of art (beautifully reproduced in the book) and shows how they have been manipulated by professors of art in various universities, as well as soi disant art critics or interpreters, to support a political agenda.

This is not a book made laborious with the jargon of art that only those from that world would understand or find of interest. The writing is lucid. The subject is relevant. He shows how the work of art is subordinated to the political idea making the political view more important than the art work itself.

Here are a couple of spartan quotes. "Rothko's picture is just that: a picture. It's not a 'text' to be read or a puzzle that needs to be deciphered or unravelled. It's a painting to be looked at."

" ...in seeking deep significance in abstract art, generally the first thing to be sacrificed is the art.

If you enjoy politics, art, a good laugh and wish to expand your education, all at the same time, read "the Rape of the Masters.