true
Self Made Hero logo

The (True!) History of Art

Words by Sylvain Coissard

Art by Alexis Lemoine

Hardback, 48 pp, $15.50

This small book contains big revelations. It unveils the mysteries behind the world's great paintings. Or it might not. The (True!) History of Art takes an outrageously speculative look at the stories behind the works of Monet, Rembrandt and other masters of art. In a series of hilarious parodies, Sylvain Coissard and Alexis Lemoine answer the nagging questions of art history: what caused Munch's subject to scream? Why is Van Gogh's Yellow Bedroom so suspiciously tidy? Why is Cézanne wearing a bandage in his famous self-portrait? The (True!) History of Art is for anyone who wants to know what happened before the Mona Lisa smiled. Or rather, what might have happened.


Sylvain Coissard


Sylvain Coissard is a literary agent specialising in children's books and graphic novels. He lives in Nîmes, France.

Alexis Lemoine


Alexis Lemoine studied at the Estienne art school in Paris and, in 1997, became a professional illustrator. He works for the French press (notably Libération) and designs book covers and CDs. He lives in Paris, France.