What could Michelangelo possibly have to tell modern Americans about their religious beliefs? Did Andy Warhol have anything meaningful to say about American industry? Was Rembrandt a Buddha in disguise? Did Mark Rothko and Edward Hopper actually believe colors could evoke primal emotions such as wonder and sadness? Artists are thinkers first. They reflect the issues of their day, but many often tap into transcendent themes that both bedevil and delight all people everywhere in all time periods. These essays speak to contemporary American concerns about religion, politics, media, culture, and science. All are informed by the brilliant thinking and talent of artists from ancient Greece to America bearing on this precise moment. You don't need an art degree to follow the discussion, just an inquiring mind.