This quote challenges the idea of history as purely objective fact. It suggests that historical narratives are crafted like art, often shaped by what is chosen to be included or excluded, highlighting the subjective nature of how we interpret the past.
Quote by Tomás Eloy Martínez: “History is not a science. It is an art, full of silences and deliberate omissions.”
History is not a science. It is an art, full of silences and deliberate omissions.
Insight
Historical Context
Martínez, known for 'faction' (blending fact and fiction), made this point during a period when historical revisionism and the role of narrative in shaping national memory were significant topics in Latin American literature.
About the Author
Argentine journalist and novelist, celebrated for his novels Santa Evita and The Perón Novel, which examined Argentina's political mythology through the lives of its most polarizing figures. His work blurred the line between journalism, history, and fiction to extraordinary effect.
View all quotes by Tomás Eloy Martínez