The work aims at discussing the double character of works of art in Adorno’s writings. It will be examined the arguments defended by Adorno about the social character of art, especially in the case of music, in which can be seen how the development of the material expresses the contradictions of society. By means of a dialectical critique Adorno discuss the way in which works of art respond to the social problems and become possibilities of resistance to reification. It will (...) be also analyzed the negative influence of culture industry on works of art. Therefore, the paper reflects about the concept of autonomous art as the hermetic character of works of art that enable them a development according their internal rules, without being submitted to a social function. In this sense, it is necessary that the reception of works of art be determined not by the aesthetic pleasure, but by the possibility of disclosing their truth content. The dialectic relation between art and society makes works of art critical and resistant to reification. (shrink)