"The Rape of the Masters" is a book by Roger Kimball that critiques the practice of interpreting classic art through modern ideological lenses. Kimball argues that this approach distorts the original intentions of the artists and undermines the value of their work. The book examines various examples of how contemporary critics and scholars have reinterpreted masterpieces, often imposing political or social agendas. By highlighting these distortions, Kimball advocates for a return to appreciating art based on its intrinsic qualities and historical context, rather than through a modern ideological framework.