Old Masters

This novel is a sharp satire set in front of a Tintoretto painting, featuring two Viennese intellectuals who critique high culture and society, brought to life through minimalist cartoons by Nicholas Mahler.

Old Masters by Thomas Bernhard is often regarded as his most enjoyable work, as noted by the New York Review of Books. Set predominantly in front of Tintoretto's White-Bearded Man, displayed in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the novel serves as a sharp satire. The narrative revolves around two pedantic characters, who can be seen as alter egos of Bernhard himself. Through their irreverent and often scathing discussions, they critique high culture, societal norms, state-sponsored artists, and philosophical figures like Heidegger, creating a rich tapestry of intellectual discourse.

The novel is characterized more by thought and conversation than by traditional action or visual elements. This focus allows for an in-depth exploration of the characters' perspectives, revealing their disdain for the very concepts that define artistic and cultural appreciation. Despite its heavy themes, the work maintains a unique blend of humor and critique, inviting readers to reflect on the nature of art and its impact on society.

In a remarkable adaptation, celebrated Austrian cartoonist Nicholas Mahler has transformed Old Masters into a graphic format. His minimalist cartoons accompany new translations of selected passages from the original text, creating a fresh interpretation that remains faithful to Bernhard's bleak vision. The result is a strikingly innovative version of Old Masters, which underscores the novel's provocative assertion that the perfect work of art can be unbearable to contemplate, let alone experience.