The Brian Lehrer Show The Brian Lehrer Show
Published by
The Brian Lehrer Show

Alain de Botton on Art for Mental Health's Sake

Alain de Botton

He's already shown "How Proust Can Change Your Life" and written about "The Architecture of Happiness" -- now, Alain de Botton, writer, philosopher, founder of London's The School of Life, and co-author, with art historian John Armstrong, of Art as Therapy (Phaidon, 2013), turns to fine art and specific works that can make us better people and how museums can help.

"Art as Therapy" App: Android / IPhone

Johannes Vermeer (1632–75), Woman in Blue Reading, c.1663; Oil on canvas, 46.5 x 39 cm (185/16 x 153/8 inches), Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
Johannes Vermeer (1632–75), Woman in Blue Reading, c.1663; Oil on canvas, 46.5 x 39 cm (185/16 x 153/8 inches), Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam (Art as Therapy by Alain de Botton and John Armstrong, Phaidon 2013)
Édouard Manet (1832–83), Bunch of Asparagus, 1880; oil on canvas, 46 x 55 cm (18 x 215/8 inches) Wallraf-Richartz-Museum, Cologne
Édouard Manet (1832–83), Bunch of Asparagus, 1880; oil on canvas, 46 x 55 cm (18 x 215/8 inches) Wallraf-Richartz-Museum, Cologne (Art as Therapy by Alain de Botton and John Armstrong, Phaidon 2013)
Bernd Becher (1931–2007) and Hilla Becher (1934–), Water Towers, 1980; nine gelatin silver prints, approximately 156 x 125 cm (611/4 x 491/4 inches), Sonnabend Gallery, New York picture credit: © Bern
Bernd Becher (1931–2007) and Hilla Becher (1934–), Water Towers, 1980; nine gelatin silver prints, approximately 156 x 125 cm (611/4 x 491/4 inches), Sonnabend Gallery, New York picture credit: © Bern (Art as Therapy by Alain de Botton and John Armstrong, Phaidon 2013)
Claude Monet (1840–1926), The Water-Lily Pond, 1899; oil on canvas, 88.3 x 93.1 cm (343/4 x 362/3 inches) National Gallery, London
Claude Monet (1840–1926), The Water-Lily Pond, 1899; oil on canvas, 88.3 x 93.1 cm (343/4 x 362/3 inches) National Gallery, London (Art as Therapy by Alain de Botton and John Armstrong, Phaidon 2013)
Art as Therapy by Alain de Botton and John Armstrong, Phaidon 2013
Art as Therapy by Alain de Botton and John Armstrong, Phaidon 2013
of