Hans Belting's 'Le Chef-d'œuvre invisible' Examines the Modern Myth of the Masterpiece

Hans Belting's 'Le Chef-d'œuvre invisible' (translated as 'A Modern Myth of Art'), released by Jacqueline Chambon, explores the notion of the masterpiece from the Napoleonic period through to postmodernism. He contends that the emergence of the 19th-century museum played a significant role in the decline of the ideal masterpiece by catering to public preferences. The book examines figures such as Delacroix and the 19th-century legend of the Mona Lisa, which Duchamp later demystified. Belting also investigates avant-garde movements that challenge reproducibility, the utopian aspirations of modern art, and the contemporary art scene's indifference towards creating a definitive work, referencing Yves Klein. Additionally, he delves into themes of self-representation and the dynamics between artists and museums, concluding with analyses of films by Rivette and Godard. Belting's 'Art History after Modernism' is set to be published in English in September.