Art Against Despair

Alpine Books

9781912891900

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A collection of inspiring and therapeutic works of art.

Art therapy for the soul. One of the most unexpectedly useful things we can do when we’re feeling glum or out of sorts is to look at pictures. The best works of art can lift our spirits, remind us of what we love and return perspective to our situation. A few moments in front of the right picture can rescue us. Art is one of the most unexpected and beautiful defenses we have against despair. 

Each of the uplifting images in this collection comes paired with a brief inspirational essay. The images range widely across time and space: from ancient to modern art, east to west, and north to south. They include photography, paintings, abstract and figurative art. Each image has been carefully chosen with a particular problem in mind: a broken heart, career challenges, relationship troubles, and more.

This is a portable museum dedicated to beauty and consolation, a unique book about art which is also about psychology and healing: a true piece of art therapy.

  • A CURATED COLLECTION OF ARTWORKS from artists around the world, each accompanied by an essay.
  • ARTISTS INCLUDE Edgar Degas, Cy Twombly, Gustave Caillebotte, Louise Bourgeois, Hiroshi Yoshida, Johannes Vermeer, Georgia O’Keeffe and more.
  • ART AS THERAPY FOR THE SOUL this book highlights the therapeutic benefit of art. Artworks featured from galleries including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Musée d'Orsay, Paris, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, The National Gallery, London and Tate Museum, London.