Simon Schama: The Power of Art

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The Power of Art

"Great art has dreadful manners," Simon Schama observes wryly at the start of his epic and explosive exploration of the power, and whole point, of art. "The hushed reverence of the gallery can fool you into believing masterpieces are polite things; visions that soothe, charm and beguile, but actually they are thugs. Merciless and wily, the greatest paintings grab you in a headlock, rough... (read more)

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sweetafton said:

“I must say that it took this book to make me truly appreciate and understand some of the great painters: Caravaggio was never as impressive before Simon Schama introduced me to him in such a specific way.

Has anybody been watching the series based on the book that is currently (not certain when it originally aired) airing on PBS? It's great, and I like his avuncular style... sort of like the well-heeled uncle who would take you into a seedy bar and tell you all about life.”

posted Tuesday, July 17 2007

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