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Books

Do Manet's asparagus remind you of your struggling long-term relationship?

Art can heal, argue Alain de Botton and John Armstrong in Art as Therapy. If they had their way the Tate Modern would have a 'Gallery of Suffering' and a 'Gallery of Compassion'

4 January 2014

9:00 AM

4 January 2014

9:00 AM

Art as Therapy Alain de Botton and John Armstrong

Phaidon, pp.200, £24.95, ISBN: 9780714865911

In calling their book Art as Therapy Alain de Botton and John Armstrong have taken the direct route. They’re not waiting for us to interpret their motive: their title tells us everything.

Art, the theory goes, can help us improve our psychological state in a way that’s progressive and cumulative. It can assist our relationships, our careers, our money concerns.

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