The Power of Art

«Great art has terrible manners!» From the very first lines of this dramatic narrative, it becomes clear: the famous historian and popularizer of science Simon Schama does not intend to take on the role of an authoritative museum guide, leisurely leading a naive group eager to touch the beautiful from masterpiece to masterpiece. So do not hope for an easy stroll through the museum halls — instead, the eccentric guide, without pausing for a second at the threshold, will simply push you through the doors of the workshop, where at this very moment, one of the most significant works of art is coming into being. Perhaps the prospect of witnessing this and facing its creator is not alarming you in advance? Well, the author will try to correct that. Arguing decisively with those who consider the stories of restless geniuses and the anguish of the act of creation to be romantic fairy tales, Simon Schama fearlessly discusses the power that cannot be opposed, the insatiable thirst, the crushing passion — the transformative force of art, in the face of which both the viewer and the creator find themselves powerless.