Study the history of art over a cup of morning coffee and discover the masterpieces of world art from a new perspective! Each chapter here is a small fascinating note about a painting, model or artist in the format of a frank conversation. Together with the author, you will go behind the scenes of creativity, the great ones will become closer and cease to seem like gods.

This book will also appeal to those who already know a lot about art, but want to look at it from a different point of view - unusual, non-academic. It will also appeal to those who know very little, but want to understand this subject. You will learn about the sources of inspiration of recognized painters| sometimes sad fates of famous artists' muses | scandals and intrigues hiding behind pompous portraits of monarchs and courtiers of the Russian and foreign courts| low passions and tragic stories behind great works| lust for profit and fame that preceded the creation of many brilliant paintings.

Read about the silent details of the lives of famous creators: the persecution of Picasso by his ex-wife, the personal tragedy of Oscar Kokoschka, the friendship and enmity of Cezanne and Zola, the life of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in a brothel, asociality and resentment of V.V. Vereshchagin and much, much more!