In "The Example of Contemporary Art," Nathalie Heinich describes the inner world of contemporary art. With rich material from the origins to the most recent developments of contemporary art in the 21st century, she highlights the characteristic practices and mindsets that are rarely perceived, although they delineate this world. The questions raised are diverse: how does one become a contemporary artist, what challenges do today's museums face, what is the power of the art market, what are the state policies and how are they applied, what is the legal status of artworks, etc. The answers are provided based on the opinions of specialists from different fields of knowledge: aesthetics, art history, legal and economic science. Thus, contemporary art, from its most public to its most exclusive and private events, appears as a world with radical differences compared to the past. This world continues to be divisive. From its interior, which the present book outlines its inner mechanisms, it seems exciting and globalized. From its exterior, it is an incomprehensible world that lacks meaning. This division is indicative of its identity. Instead of being considered a continuation of modern art, contemporary art here is defined as a new "example of art," which redefines in a novel way the production and reception of the artwork, as well as the relationship of the artist with institutions.