Art Against Despair

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.

This is a collection of the world's most consoling and uplifting images, accompanied by small essays that talk about the works in a way that offers us comfort and inspiration. The images in the book range wildly across time and space: from ancient to modern art, east to west, north to south, taking in photography, painting, abstract and figurative art. All the images have been carefully chosen to help us with a particular problem we might face: a broken heart, a difficulty at work, the meanness of others, the challenges of family and friends... We're invited to look at art with unusual depth and then find our way towards new hope and courage.

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 beautiful and moving book that proves the redemptive power of art to lift us from our darkest, most isolated times." - Katy Hessel, @thegreatwomenartists and author of The Story of Art without Men "Filled with images that celebrate and capture the joys of life, from cakes in a Parisian patisserie to sunlit interiors, this is the ideal book to lift your spirits when you're feeling down. Beautifully curated, there are well-known masterpieces by the likes of Vermeer, Venetian glassware and drawings by Louise Bourgeois, as well as surprising sketchbook studies of sheep by Henry Moore. Full of beautiful surprises and hidden gems from history, this book carries a great message: looking at art is good for you." - Ruth Millington, author of Muse "[A]ll about the power of art, through art that can be joyous or sombre, and there's a welcome freshness to it." - Tabish Khan, FAD Magazine " Art Against Despair is curated art therapy for the soul. The pictures in it, and the commentary, and cheer you up/or help you to feel less alone. The images inside are chosen with a particular issue in mind, for instance a broken heart. Highly recommended for lovers of art and writing." - NetGalley review " Art Against Despair is a book of selected art works toinspire hope and comfort. Each piece ofart is selected with a particular issue in mind and is accompanied withexplanatory and inspirational text Itis art therapy for the soul and the book suggests that looking at good worksof art is one of the most unexpectedly useful things we can do when we'refeeling glum or out of sorts ... Overall a good book and a greatidea." - NetGalley review "Great read for art lovers." - NetGalley review " Art Against Despair is a thoughtful look at howlooking at art can heal the soul. With a range of images, photography, paintingand sculpture, art is examined through time as is the emotional rollercoaster oflife. If you are feeling blue or out of your depth about a particular lifecircumstance then maybe this book is for you. It's a book for art lovers, butalso those unfamiliar with art's power to heal in a frenetic, polarisedworld." - NetGalley review”

"A beautiful and moving book that proves the redemptive power of art to lift us from our darkest, most isolated times." - Katy Hessel, @thegreatwomenartists and author of The Story of Art without Men

"Filled with images that celebrate and capture the joys of life, from cakes in a Parisian patisserie to sunlit interiors, this is the ideal book to lift your spirits when you're feeling down. Beautifully curated, there are well-known masterpieces by the likes of Vermeer, Venetian glassware and drawings by Louise Bourgeois, as well as surprising sketchbook studies of sheep by Henry Moore. Full of beautiful surprises and hidden gems from history, this book carries a great message: looking at art is good for you." - Ruth Millington, author of Muse

"[A]ll about the power of art, through art that can be joyous or sombre, and there's a welcome freshness to it." - Tabish Khan, FAD Magazine

"Art Against Despair is curated art therapy for the soul. The pictures in it, and the commentary, and cheer you up/or help you to feel less alone. The images inside are chosen with a particular issue in mind, for instance a broken heart. Highly recommended for lovers of art and writing." - NetGalley review

"Art Against Despair is a book of selected art works to
inspire hope and comfort. Each piece of
art is selected with a particular issue in mind and is accompanied with
explanatory and inspirational text It
is art therapy for the soul and the book suggests that looking at good works
of art is one of the most unexpectedly useful things we can do when we're
feeling glum or out of sorts ... Overall a good book and a great
idea." - NetGalley review
"Great read for art lovers." - NetGalley review
"Art Against Despair is a thoughtful look at how
looking at art can heal the soul. With a range of images, photography, painting
and sculpture, art is examined through time as is the emotional rollercoaster of
life. If you are feeling blue or out of your depth about a particular life
circumstance then maybe this book is for you. It's a book for art lovers, but
also those unfamiliar with art's power to heal in a frenetic, polarised
world." - NetGalley review

The School of Life Press brings together the thinking and ideas of the School of Life creative team under the direction of series editor, Alain de Botton. The School of Life is a resource for exploring self-knowledge, relationships, work, socialising, finding calm and enjoying culture through content, community and conversation

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.This is a collection of the world's most consoling and uplifting images, accompanied by small essays that talk about the works in a way that offers us comfort and inspiration. The images in the book range wildly across time and space: from ancient to modern art, east to west, north to south, taking in photography, painting, abstract and figurative art. All the images have been carefully chosen to help us with a particular problem we might face: a broken heart, a difficulty at work, the meanness of others, the challenges of family and friends... We're invited to look at art with unusual depth and then find our way towards new hope and courage.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.

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