Erotica Universalis
From the dawn of time, ever since Adam and Eve, all artists of every age--whether the Egyptian, Greek, or Roman artists of Antiquity, or more recent famous names such as Rembrandt, Courbet, Degas, or Picasso--have succumbed to their fantasies, obsessions, and libido and produced erotic works that the censors have taken good care to keep from the public. For Erotica Universalis, we surface from the subterranean realms of the museums to enter those of our national and private libraries. Here we discover that not only most of our famous writers, such as Ovid, Aretino, Voltaire, Verlaine, or Maupassant, wrote erotic texts that bordered on indecency, but also that great artists like Boucher, Fragonard, Dal穩, or Matisse were inspired to provide suitable illustrations for these naughty books. For this new hardcover edition of the classic 1995 best seller, we have culled highlights from our Erotica Universalis collection.
Military And Religious Life In The Middle Ages And At The Period Of The Renaissance
El Teatro Por Dentro; Autores, Comediantes, Escenas De La Vida De Bastidores, Etc.
The Printers, Stationers And Bookbinders Of Westminster And London From 1476 To 1535
Sexual Dissidences
Travesti writers, voices, performers, artists, and historians present a collective narrative of survival. Despite its long history, the unique Latin American phenomenon of sexual identity, travesti, has been largely overlooked in Western European discourse. Travesti brings to life systems of knowledge and the attitude of autonomy that occupies a distinct position within the clash of class, gender, and race. The development of long-term forms of ephemerality sheds light on processes of travesti anti-capitalist revolt, as well as the capacity of travesti to exploit and/or migrate themselves in order to make life possible and worth living, and the dynamics of practices and reflections to emerge anew. Despite the necropolitical grip on their lives, the swaying of travesti bodies is both witty and powerful. They themselves have taken detailed steps to find a way to exist and build communities. Drawing together numerous writers, voices, performers, artists, and historians, this book is not merely about travesti, it is travesti. ContributorsP礙dra Costa, Johan Mijail, R. Marcos Mota, Marina Grzinic and Jovita Pristovsek, Claudia Rodr穩guez, Juan Pablo Sutherland, Marlene Wayar, Gabriela Wiener, Sergio Zevallos Interviews With Frau Diamanda and P礙dra Costa, Diego Marchante, Diego Falcon穩 Tr獺vez, Iki Yos Pi簽a Narv獺ez And Francisco Godoy Vega The second part of the book is a translation of Frau Diamanda/H矇ctor Acu簽a's book Escenas Catalana. With Forewords by Diego Falcon穩 Tr獺vez and Hern獺n Migoya, and illustrations by Juan Carlos Cajigas "Juka", C矇sar "Chechi" Ch獺vez, Jes繳s Garc穩a, and Rapha Hu. Copublished by Academy of Fine Arts Vienna
The Diver of Paestum
Since its discovery in 1968, the painting of a diver on a tomb in Paestum, originally the Greek colony of Poseidonia in southern Italy, has left viewers spellbound. It depicts a beautiful and enigmatic scene: a young man dives headfirst into the water from a cliff or tower. The image is joined by others from the same tomb depicting a banquet of young people drinking wine, playing games and enjoying music. Understanding this painting is often seen as a key to unlocking some of the mysteries of ancient Greek culture - and therein lies the puzzle. What is the meaning of the diver? Is it, as many have argued, a metaphorical representation of the passage from life to a world beyond? The eminent art historian Tonio H繹lscher rejects this view, arguing that there is nothing symbolic or metaphorical about the painting: the scenes celebrate the real lives of the Greek colonists of the early 5th century BC. The painting captures a young man's spirited personality and pursuits during a life which may have been short, but was lived to the full. In a groundbreaking reversal of how the painting is typically interpreted, this book opens a window onto the world of Ancient Greece and its culture of athleticism, eroticism, love for nature and enjoyment of the sea. A joyful ode to youth, it is above all a unique portrait of the zest for life in Antiquity.
Dreamworld
A lively history of Surrealism, from its beginnings in Paris to its expansion into an international artistic movement Dreamworld: Surrealism at 100 celebrates the centennial of Andr矇 Breton's Manifesto of Surrealism (1924), which launched one of the essential currents of twentieth-century thought and culture. Matthew Affron investigates how artists made good on Surrealism's promise of a revolution in consciousness by means of the unbridled imagination. This book highlights the key motivations, principles, themes, and techniques of Surrealist art from the early 1920s to the late 1960s. It also underscores Surrealism's spread beyond its birthplace in Paris, with a focus on the migration of artists to hubs in North America--especially New York City and Mexico City--during the Second World War. This lively, richly illustrated publication features works in a wide range of media by a diverse group of artists, including Jean Arp, Leonora Carrington, Joseph Cornell, Max Ernst, Frida Kahlo, Salvador Dal穩, Marcel Duchamp, Wifredo Lam, Man Ray, Andr矇 Masson, Joan Mir籀, Pablo Picasso, Dorothea Tanning, Remedios Varo, and many others. Distributed for the Philadelphia Museum of Art Exhibition Schedule: Philadelphia Museum of Art (November 8, 2025-February 16, 2026)
Narrative Threads
For centuries, Palestinian women wrote the stories of their lives and land with a needle and thread. Their embroidery, or tatreez, inspired hundreds of artists who reinterpreted and transformed it into a symbol of Palestinian identity, steadfastness and resistance. Narrative Threads celebrates the immense beauty and significance of Palestinian embroidery in contemporary art. Joanna Barakat documents and features more than 200 works by twenty-four established and emerging artists, who incorporate the motifs and symbolism of tatreez across diverse media - from painting, sculpture and textile to film, photography and street art. While some artists preserve traditional forms, others transform tatreez to explore themes of displacement, resilience and belonging. Together, their works offer a dynamic reflection on Palestinian heritage and identity. With insightful essays by leading art historians Dr Tina Sherwell, Wafa Ghnaim and Rachel Dedman, Narrative Threads reveals the power of Palestinian embroidery as a visual language that recounts the past, connects us to the present and envisions a different, hopeful future.
Ethiopian Devotions
Admire stunning Christian imagery of Ethiopian Orthodox Church art in this lavishly illustrated volume with informative essays and more than 100 images Ethiopia is one of the world's oldest Christian civilizations, and its rich artistic history often centers on religious themes and practices. Ranging from the fourteenth to the twentieth centuries, Ethiopian Devotions celebrates an incredible collection of work, from a free-standing basilica carved from living rock, to the tradition of Ethiopic hagiography describing the lives of saints, to diptych and triptych icons of veneration -- miniature paintings distinctive for their vibrant colors and soulful eyes. Insightful essays present Ethiopia's devotional arts, and place in context the images of illustrated manuscripts, panel paintings, inscribed portraits, murals, crosses, garments, devotional images, prayer staffs, church and monastery architecture, and more, while exploring their connection to liturgical music and literature. Written by distinguished scholars in the field, the book's exploration of Ethiopia's cultural, artistic, and religious traditions is authoritative, and its more than 100 images reveal the depth, beauty and detail embodied in the artwork. Ethiopian Devotions offers readers the opportunity to understand and admire radiant art and learn about its long and remarkable history.
New Deal Art
What role should the arts play in a democracy? At the height of the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal turned crisis into opportunity. Through unprecedented federal funding for the arts, the New Deal launched the careers of artists such as Philip Guston, Dorothea Lange, Jacob Lawrence, Alice Neel, Jackson Pollock, and Mark Rothko. They belonged to the era's bold vision of cultural democracy: art by the people, for the people. Brimming with vivid images and stories, New Deal Art offers a dynamic survey of this transformative period. The book highlights a diverse generation of artists who challenged dominant narratives of American history and identity. Through state-sponsored murals, paintings, sculptures, photographs, prints, and posters, these artists redefined the role of art in society. They formed the first Artists' Union and fought fascism through collective action. They reimagined art as a public good rather than a private luxury. New Deal Art confronts issues relevant today: freedom and censorship, race and representation, art and activism, politics and propaganda. In an era of dwindling public arts funding, the New Deal's goal of broadening access to art and culture remains as urgent as ever.
Divine Egypt
A rare and captivating look at ancient Egyptian deities that demystifies their complex iconography to illuminate three millennia of life and religious practice Ancient Egyptian religious practice flourished across millennia and encompassed a staggering array of gods, goddesses, and other divine beings. This publication outlines the rich iconography used to represent Egyptian deities--from the stately falcon-headed Horus, associated with power and kingship, to the fearsome lion-headed Sakhmet--and explores how these representations evolved alongside the roles of the gods themselves. Illustrated with more than 300 exceptional works of art, including statuary, figurines, jewelry, animal mummies, and coffins, Divine Egypt examines the expansive set of features used to symbolize more than 20 deities and their variations while also familiarizing readers with the meaning and cultural significance of each figure. World-renowned scholars explain how the ancient Egyptians recognized and understood divine images and the otherworldly nature of their gods. Essential reading for lovers of Egyptian art, this book enriches our understanding of not only the deities of ancient Egypt but also the lives of all strata of ancient Egyptian society. Published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art/Distributed by Yale University Press Exhibition Schedule: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (October 12, 2025-January 19, 2026)
All-American Ads of the 30s (Multilingual Edition)
Step (or jitterbug) into the dazzling world of 1930s American advertising, where bold promises, slick design, and more than a touch of wishful thinking kept the country dreaming through the Great Depression. While wallets tightened, creativity soared--glossy magazine pages teemed with cheerful, colorful ads selling everything from beauty creams to Hawaiian vacations, all wrapped in an air of optimism that defied the hard times.At the dawn of the decade, the sleek, modernist aesthetics of European avant-garde design shook up the industry, introducing stylized, symbolic, and even abstract ads that emphasized visuals over words. But as reality set in, admen pivoted to a more hard-sell approach, favoring bold headlines, big promises, and down-to-earth pitches that resonated with a nation struggling to get by. Irony and subtlety had no place when people needed practical solutions--and so began the golden age of persuasive, no-nonsense marketing.This treasure trove reveals the relentless optimism of 1930s campaigns that painted pictures of affluent, carefree American life, where a better future was just one purchase away and Lucky Strikes helped Hollywood stars find their focus on set. Whether it was for a Shaeffer pen, a Buick sedan, or the Frigidaire '35, these endorsements reassured hard-working folk that prosperity was just around the corner.A vivid time capsule of Depression-era consumerism, with more than 800 vintage ads, it reveals how Madison Avenue didn't just sell products--it sold hope, glamor, and the great American dream.
Slow Looking: The Art of Nature
Slow Looking: The Art of Nature is a unique celebration of the relationship between art and nature across millennia. Eschewing a linear narrative of art, this inspirational collection of artworks allows readers to make connections between the nature that surrounds them and the vision of a dazzling wide range of artists. Art historian Olivia Meehan has mixed paintings, drawings, sculpture, textiles, and decorative arts from across the globe in thought-provoking juxtapositions, inviting us to find something new in a familiar landscape and experiment in observing nature's wonders.Exploring the various intersections between artistic techniques and thematical elements across land, water, and sky, the pages reveal the deep--rooted connections between human beings and our natural world: the form and colors of a Georgia O'Keeffe painting of a shell echo a carved fossil from 500,000-300,000 BCE; Van Gogh's olive trees (1889) are juxtaposed with ancient Egyptian carved limestone dated between 1353-1323 BCE; and while water lilies captivated Claude Monet, their allure also traveled to mid--18th century India in Hunhar II's watercolor work.Following nature's patterns, Slow Looking: The Art of Nature takes readers on a journey from fields, mountains, forests, and glaciers to lakes, ponds, waterfalls, and rivers, and on to sunrises, rainbows, comets, clouds, constellations, and so much more. This guided observation of nature offers a whole new way of contemplating the world.
Caravaggio
One of the most influential painters of the Baroque era, Caravaggio transformed art history with his dramatic use of light and shadow and his raw, emotional realism. This beautifully produced, affordably priced book offers rich insights into his life and work in a compact, convenient format. From the striking intensity of The Calling of Saint Matthew to the poignant vulnerability of David with the Head of Goliath, Caravaggio's masterpieces are brought to life in vivid reproductions that allow readers to appreciate every detail of his artistry. Accompanying these images are insightful explorations of his works, uncovering the groundbreaking techniques and personal turmoil that defined his style. A comprehensive biography traces Caravaggio's meteoric rise in Rome, his volatile temperament, and the dramatic twists of his short life, offering a compelling portrait of an artist who was as passionate and unpredictable as the works he created. Perfect for both seasoned art connoisseurs and those newly discovering the wonders of early Baroque painting, this book invites readers to experience the genius of an artist whose bold vision continues to captivate audiences centuries later.
Manet and Morisot
An intimate exploration of an artistic friendship at the heart of the Impressionist movement ?douard Manet (1832-1883) was a pioneer of modern painting, and Berthe Morisot (1841-1895) was the sole female founding member of the Impressionist group. To each other, they were colleagues, friends, and--following Morisot's marriage to Manet's brother--family. Unfolding over a period of fifteen years, theirs was arguably the closest relationship between any two members of the Impressionist circle. Through collaboration, competition, and mutual collecting, each influenced the other's work and, in the process, changed the course of modern art. The story of this relationship has most often been told through Manet's magnificent portraits of Morisot, but the two artists' connection was more than one between painter and muse. Exploring pairs and groups of related works, Manet and Morisot reveals that, while Morisot looked to Manet for inspiration during her early career, as Morisot's work became more daring and garnered widespread acclaim, Manet began to follow her example, emulating her choice of subjects, her high-keyed colors, even her rapid, fluttering brushstrokes. Illustrated essays and entries challenge gendered perspectives in the Manet literature, while correspondence and a technical study invite readers into the two artists' shared social circle and contrasting studio practices. Published in association with the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco Exhibition Schedule: Legion of Honor, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (October 11, 2025-March 1, 2026) Cleveland Museum of Art (March 29-July 5, 2026)
Spectrum of Desire
Reframing medieval art through the lens of queer theory, this pioneering volume sharpens our understanding of conceptions of gender, the body, and eroticism across three centuries This pioneering volume explores concepts of gender, sexuality, and love as portrayed in sculptures, paintings, manuscripts, and personal items to reveal the hidden sexuality and sensuality of medieval art. Using the critical approach known as queer theory, which offers a way to think more expansively about the past, the book interrogates aspects art and culture of the Middle Ages that are often overlooked, such as nonconformist sexual practices, gender variance, and power plays within human and divine relationships. Focused essays on topics and motifs such as the erotics of Saint Sebastian, transgender expression, and the underside of courtly love propose new readings of beloved masterpieces. Featuring more than 40 works of art from the fourteenth to the sixteenth century, this volume not only encourages readers to reflect on the ways that sex, gender, and relationships structured medieval lives and identities, but also prompts contemplation of how such attitudes affect our understanding of these subjects in the present day. Published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art/Distributed by Yale University Press Exhibition Schedule: The Met Cloisters, New York (October 17, 2025-March 29, 2026)
The American Art Book
The groundbreaking survey, showcasing 500 of the greatest American artists, now updated in an essential new edition'A lavish glimpse not only into American Art, but into the history of the century as well.' - The TimesFully revised and updated, this new edition of Phaidon's seminal volume The American Art Book provides an unparalleled look into the richness and diversity of American art. Covering more than three centuries, this stunning survey tells the history of a country through its most vital artists, each of whom has been thoughtfully selected for inclusion by an advisory team of leading curators, historians, and institutional directors.From the earliest colonial portraitists, Impressionist luminaries, the giants of Modernism, earthwork innovators, and Pop Art icons to today's contemporary visionaries, each artist is represented by a key work, an introductory text written by an expert in the field, and cross-references to other artists, inspiring new connections through art history.Featured artists include: Ansel Adams, Josef Albers, Diane Arbus, Ruth Asawa, Richard Avedon, Matthew Barney, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Romare Bearden, Alexander Calder, Vija Celmins, Frederic Edwin Church, John Singleton Copley, Gregory Crewdson, Helen Frankenthaler, Jared French, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Robert Gwathmey, Keith Haring, Barkley L. Hendricks, Jenny Holzer, Arthur Jafa, Joshua Johnson, Henrietta Johnston, Alex Katz, Gaston Lachaise, Jacob Lawrence, Edmonia Lewis, Maya Lin, Man Ray, Ana Mendieta, Senga Nengudi, Nam June Paik, Jackson Pollock, Robert Rauschenberg, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Andy Warhol, and Carrie Mae WeemsAdvisors include: Aleesa Pitchamarn Alexander, Kathleen Ash-Milby, Horace D. Ballard, David Breslin, Mel Buchanan, JR Henneman, Rujeko Hockley, Jonathan D. Katz, Franklin Kelly, Harper Montgomery, Lowery Stokes Sims, Juliet Sperling, Bradley Sumrall, and Leslie Umberger
Supernatural
From the bestselling author of The Fantastic Gustave Dor矇. Featuring 300 exquisite paintings and engravings that reveal the mysterious beauty of nineteenth century Dark Romanticism, Symbolism, and Pre-Raphaelitism, this lavish volume highlights the era's fascination with the spiritual, the macabre, and the sublime. Supernatural invites readers to experience the otherworldly imagination of celebrated and lesser-known artists who sought to capture the liminal spaces between reality and fantasy. Divided into 7 thematic chapters Luna (moon), Carmina (charms), Maleficia (witchcraft), Genii (fairies), Phantasmata (ghosts), Angeli (angels), and Daemones (demons)--it pairs breathtaking artwork with insightful commentary that illuminates the themes, symbols, and esoteric traditions woven into these haunting works. A glossary of 40 terms further clarifies the arcane concepts and spiritual influences at play. The sumptuous package includes gold-embossed cover and spine, decorative belly band, and sprayed edges inscribed with the title. Ideal for art lovers, mystics, and anyone captivated by the uncanny, it offers an unprecedented journey into the supernatural visions of the nineteenth century.
The Art and Industry of Stucco Decoration in Europe
An interdisciplinary perspective no the spread and development of the stucco technique between the 16th and 18th centuries, and the different forms it took throughout Europe. Text in English and Italian. Stucco decorations have traditionally been studied considering their formal and artistic qualities. Although much research and numerous publications have explored the works of stucco artists and their cultural context, little attention has been paid to their professional role in relation to the other actors involved in the decorative process (architects, painters, sculptors, patrons), the technical skills of these artists, and how their know-how contributed to the great professional success they enjoyed. From the 16th to the 18th century, many of the stucco decorations in churches and palaces throughout Europe were made by masters from the border area between what is now Canton Ticino and Lombardy. This collection of essays aims to examine how these artists worked from Spain to Poland, from Denmark to Italy, via the Netherlands, France, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Austria, adapting to the realities of the different contexts. The authors examine these issues with an interdisciplinary approach, considering art history and social history, the history of artistic techniques, and the science of materials. Text in English and Italian.
Impressions in Watercolour: Turner and His Contemporaries
Rarely seen watercolors by the greatest English artists of the 19th century, beautifully reproduced. Curated and introduced by Ian Warrell, the leading expert on Turner, this selection from the fabled Hickman Bacon collection is one of the finest groups of British watercolors in existence, and hardly ever seen or reproduced. Centered around 32 watercolors by Turner, including some of his breathtaking views of the Alps, early views, and late cloud and sea studies, the collection also encompasses some of the greatest works by Turner's contemporaries: John Sell Cotman, Alexander Cozen, Thomas Girtin, Peter de Wint, John Crome, David Cox and others. Beautifully printed on heavy uncoated paper, with some reproductions life size, this book conveys the intensity and freshness and stupendous virtuosity of these artists whose work in watercolor has never been rivaled. An extended essay by the leading expert and former Tate curator Ian Warrell examines the paintings and gives a vivid picture of the artists who made them.
Art & Court of James VI & I
A dazzling selection of art, jewellery, clothing and objects that reflects the dynamic court of James VI & I. James VI & I, the only child of Mary, Queen of Scots, has often been overshadowed by the dramatic lives of his mother and son, Charles I. This book seeks to redress the balance by centering the first monarch to reign over both Scotland and England and uncovering the artistic treasures created during his extraordinary reign. The cultural riches of James's court are showcased, revealing his diverse roles as ruler, scholar, politician, father and patron of the arts. His court's passion for jewelry and fine clothes is illustrated in the vivid portraits and miniatures by John de Critz and Nicholas Hilliard - just two of many artists and craftspeople who thrived in its artistic and intellectual climate. Five richly illustrated chapters demonstrate James's impact on early modern Britain, while reconsidering the reputation of a king traditionally presented as preferring hunting and drinking to the duties of daily governance. Packed with exquisite art works and sumptuous objects, this book brings James's court vividly to life.
Miami's Art Boom
Discover how Miami's local artcommunity transformed the city into a hub of global artistic exchangeStep intothe vibrant heartbeat of Miami's art scene during a transformative period in Miami'sArt Boom. Award-winning art critic Elisa Turner presents over 100 of herbest profiles, reviews, and stories to capture the evolution of Miami's visualarts community before and after the inaugural Art Basel Miami Beach in 2002.This book reveals how a constellation of visionary artists, curators, galleries, and museums ignited a cultural revolution that propelled the regiononto the international stage.Through four chronological sections and a richly contextualizing introduction, readers are invited to witness a pivotal era when creative pioneers like Jos矇 Bedia, Carlos Betancourt, Mar穩a Brito, Gary L. Moore, Eugenia Vargas-Pereira, Edouard Duval-Carri矇, Mar穩a Mart穩nez-Ca簽as, and many others redefined artistic boundaries. Their individual stories are artfully interwoven with the broadernarrative of a community energized by cross-cultural exchange. As Miamitransformed into a flourishing hub of global artistry amid burgeoning supportfrom state and private funders, the groundwork was laid for Art Basel MiamiBeach, a landmark event whose explosive impact continues to reverberate. Miami's Art Boom is more than a history--it is a vibrant cultural artifact that not onlydefies myths about Miami's artistic roots but also celebrates the spirit ofinnovation and diversity. This detailed, lively collection is an essential readfor art students and scholars, professionals, and anyone passionate about thepower of creativity. Embrace the story of Miami's rise from the foundationalwork of local visionaries to the exhilarating exchange of the international artworld and experience an inspirational journey.
Leonardo
This accessible and beautifully produced volume honors the extraordinary legacy of Leonardo da Vinci, whose genius shaped the Renaissance and continues to inspire the modern world. Through stunning reproductions of his most iconic works, including The Last Supper, Mona Lisa, and The Virgin and Child with St. Anne, readers can experience the depth and brilliance of Leonardo's artistry. These masterpieces, alongside his intricate sketches and studies, are paired with commentary that illuminates the innovative techniques, symbolism, and groundbreaking ideas that define his legacy. A concise and engaging biography traces Leonardo's journey from his early years in Vinci to his influential career in Florence, Milan, and beyond, exploring the boundless curiosity and intellect that fueled his pursuits in art, science, and engineering. Rich contextual details highlight the cultural and historical influences on his work, offering readers a deeper understanding of his enduring impact. Compact, elegantly designed, and affordably priced, this book is ideal for both devoted admirers of Renaissance creativity and those discovering Leonardo da Vinci for the first time. Offering a compelling exploration of his life and achievements, it is an essential addition to any art lover's collection.
Derrick Adams
The highly anticipated first monograph on one of the most celebrated American contemporary artistsThrough portraits, social scenes, photographs, sculptures, and immersive installations, Derrick Adams has developed an artistic practice that jocundly visualizes modern Black American life. Equally informed by popular culture as he is by the history of modern art, Adams's work brings the everyday experiences of Black Americans to the forefront, capturing fashionable moments of joy, resilience, and celebration. His artworks are filled with color, energy, and complexity, whether they depict intimate, everyday moments or grand, sweeping statements.Adams's first-ever monograph includes 150 of the most significant works from his thirty-year career, along with four newly commissioned texts from cultural luminaries. Filled with beautifully reproduced images and presented in a cloth case with a painting tipped onto the front cover, this stunning book establishes Derrick Adams as one of the most important figurative artists working today.
Banksy: Completed
There's more to Banksy than the painting on the wall: the first in-depth investigation into the mysteries of the world's most famous living artist. Banksy is the world's most famous living artist, yet no one knows who he is. For more than twenty years, his wryly political and darkly humorous spray paintings have appeared mysteriously on urban walls around the globe, generating headlines and controversy. Art critics disdain him, but the public (and the art market) love him. With this generously illustrated book, artist and critic Carol Diehl is the first author to probe the depths of the Banksy mystery. Through her exploration of his paintings, installations, writings, and Academy Award-nominated film, Exit through the Gift Shop, Diehl proves unequivocally that there's more to Banksy than the painting on the wall. Seeing Banksy as the ultimate provocateur, Diehl investigates the dramas that unfold after his works are discovered, with all of their social, economic, and political implications. She reveals how this trickster rattles the system, whether during his month-long 2013 self-styled New York "residency" or his notorious Dismaland of 2015, a full-scale dystopian "family theme park unsuitable for children" dedicated to the failure of capitalism. Banksy's work, Diehl shows, is a synthesis of conceptual art, social commentary, and political protest, played out not in museums but where it can have the most effect--on the street, in the real world. The questions Banksy raises about the uses of public and private property, the role of the global corporatocracy, the never-ending wars, and the gap between artworks as luxury goods and as vehicles of social expression, have never been more relevant.
Common People
A stunning book by photographer Leah Gordon and bestselling art author Stephen Ellcock, illustrated with 100 incredible colour images from a diverse range of artists of different eras, exploring the enclosure of common land in England and the struggle over the centuries to regain access. IN 1600, 50% OF ENGLAND WAS COMMON LAND.IT'S NOW 3%.THIS IS THE STORY OF HOW THAT HAPPENED. This is a visual journey through the history of the enclosure of common land in England and the stories of those who have attempted to resist. Richly illustrated with Leah Gordon's photography alongside fine art and folk customs past and present, discover: - A timeline of this centuries-long struggle for access to the land.- The stories of rural resistance such as the Levellers, the Diggers, the Luddites and Captain Swing.- The links between the struggles of the industrial working-class and the peasants.- Contemporary conflicts around land rights, such as the New Age travellers and rave scene, the anti-road campaign and the Right to Roam movement. Common People offers a reimagining of English history told by the people themselves, giving voice to the silenced history of the enclosures and the incredible visual creativity inspired by rural resistance and protest.
Why Surrealism Matters
An elegant consideration of the Surrealist movement as a global phenomenon and why it continues to resonate "Mr. Polizzotti carefully balances the movement's aspirations and attainments against its flaws and contradictions, hoping to recuperate Surrealism's 'critical and imaginative essence' for the present. . . . The best concise account of the movement available."--Michael Saler, Wall Street Journal Selected by Art in America as an "Essential Book About Surrealism" Why does Surrealism continue to fascinate us a century after Andr矇 Breton's Manifesto of Surrealism? How do we encounter Surrealism today? Mark Polizzotti vibrantly reframes the Surrealist movement in contemporary terms and offers insight into why it continues to inspire makers and consumers of art, literature, and culture. Polizzotti shows how many forms of popular media can thank Surrealism for their existence, including Monty Python, Theatre of the Absurd, and trends in fashion, film, and literature. While discussing the movement's iconic figures--including Andr矇 Breton, Leonora Carrington, Salvador Dal穩, Ren矇 Magritte, Man Ray, and Dorothea Tanning--he also broadens the traditionally French and male-focused narrative, constructing a more diverse and global representation. And he addresses how the Surrealists grappled with ideas that mirror current concerns, including racial and economic injustice, sexual politics, issues of identity, labor unrest, and political activism. Why Surrealism Matters provides a concise, engaging exploration of how, a century later, the "Surrealist revolution" remains as dynamic as ever.
Michelangelo and the Viewer in His Time
Now in paperback, an invitation to re-experience the works of the Italian master as they would have been encountered in his time. Today most of us enjoy the work of famed Renaissance artist Michelangelo by perusing art books or strolling along the galleries of a museum--and the luckier of us have had a chance to see his extraordinary frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. But as Bernadine Barnes shows in this book, even a visit to a well-preserved historical site doesn't quite afford the experience the artist intended us to have. Bringing together the latest historical research, she offers us an accurate account of how Michelangelo's art would have been seen in its own time. As Barnes shows, Michelangelo's works were made to be viewed in churches, homes, and political settings, by people who brought their own specific needs and expectations to them. Rarely were his paintings and sculptures viewed in quiet isolation--as we might today in the stark halls of a museum. Instead, they were an integral part of ritual and ceremonies, and viewers would have experienced them under specific lighting conditions and from particular vantages; they would have moved through spaces in particular ways and been compelled to relate various works with others nearby. Reconstructing some of the settings in which Michelangelo's works appeared, Barnes reassembles these experiences for the modern viewer. Moving throughout his career, she considers how his audience changed, and how this led him to produce works for different purposes, sometimes for conventional religious settings, but sometimes for more open-minded patrons. She also shows how the development of print and art criticism changed the nature of the viewing public, further altering the dynamics between artist and audience. Historically attuned, this book encourages today's viewers to take a fresh look at this iconic artist, seeing his work as they were truly meant to be seen.
Hew Locke
An in-depth look at the innovative career of an artist renowned for his multimedia explorations of colonial and postcolonial power For the past thirty years, Guyanese British artist Hew Locke (b. 1959) has used strategies of appropriation to reveal and upend the visual codes of imperialism. Incorporating sculpture, photography, drawing, and found objects, Locke's oeuvre has been described as a "postcolonial baroque" that deconstructs and reimagines deeply entrenched iconographies of British sovereignty. This richly illustrated catalogue showcases the full spectrum of Locke's practice, bringing together distinct bodies of work that scrutinize the visual language of empire and colonialism's present-day legacies of global market capitalism, migration, and diaspora. Essays from leading curators, critics, and scholars of contemporary art situate Locke's work within the context of colonial and postcolonial history and theory, reveal how his use of nontraditional materials--including cardboard, fabric, beads, sequins, and readymade toys--enables the artist to reflect on his Guyanese-British heritage, and consider how the artist's dense, highly textured, and multilayered works fuse vernacular and formal traditions. Distributed for the Yale Center for British Art Exhibition Schedule: Yale Center for British Art (October 2, 2025-January 11, 2026) Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus, OH (February 13-May 24, 2026) Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (June 21-September 13, 2026)
Family Romance
Jean Strouse captures the dramas, mysteries, intrigues, and tragedies surrounding John Singer Sargent's portraits of the Wertheimer family. Jean Strouse's Family Romance: John Singer Sargent and the Wertheimers looks at twelve portraits of one English family painted by the expatriate American artist at the height of his career--and at the intersections of all these lives with the sparkle and strife of the Edwardian age. In commissioning this grand series of paintings, Asher Wertheimer, an eminent London art dealer of German-Jewish descent, became Sargent's greatest private patron and close friend. The Wertheimers worked with Rothschilds and royals, plutocrats and dukes--as did Sargent. Asher left most of his Sargent portraits to the National Gallery in London, a gift that elicited censure as well as praise: it was a new thing for a family of Jews to appear alongside the Anglo-Saxon aristocrats and dignitaries painted by earlier masters. Strouse's account, set primarily in England around the turn of the twentieth century, takes in the declining fortunes of the British aristocracy and the dramatic rise of new power and wealth on both sides of the Atlantic. It travels back through hundreds of years to the Habsburg court in Vienna and forward to fascist Italy in the 1930s. Its depictions of Sargent, his sitters, their friendships and circles, and the portraits themselves light up a period that saw tumultuous social change and the birth of the modern art market. Sargent brilliantly portrayed these transformations, in which the Wertheimers were key players. Family Romance brings their interwoven stories fully to life for the first time.
Nina Chanel Abney
The highly anticipated debut monograph from trailblazing artist Nina Chanel AbneyCombining representation and abstraction, Nina Chanel Abney's paintings capture the frenetic pace of contemporary culture. Broaching subjects as diverse as race, celebrity, religion, politics, sex, and art history, her works eschew linear storytelling in lieu of disjointed narratives. Through a bracing use of color and unapologetic scale, Abney's canvases propose a new type of history painting. The first definitive monograph on this contemporary American artist presents a collection of more than 300 works, including large-scale paintings, works on paper, sculptures, installations, murals, and commercial collaborations, along with a behind-the-scenes look at the artist's process. Insightful texts from influential art-world figures and writers underscore Abney's artistic impact.Strikingly designed, with an eye-catching acetate jacket, vibrant pages, double gatefolds, and curated inserts, Nina Chanel Abney is a celebration of the artist's distinctively bold style and innovative approach.
Remembrance and Renewal
A revelatory look at midcentury American artistic responses to the Holocaust, and the role of the Jewish experience in the development of modern art The profound effects of the Holocaust and the Jewish experience of World War II left an indelible mark on artists of the time. This insightful book delves into the impact of these events on American art and seeks answers to the questions that confronted artists as the mass deportation and murder of Europe's Jews came to light. Through paintings, sculpture, photography, drawings, prints, and designs for memorials by Louise Nevelson, Mark Rothko, Ben Shahn, Frank Stella, and many others, this volume highlights the intersection of Jewish experience and modern art, a subject that has been largely neglected in art historical studies. Jennifer McComas draws on the Jewish theological concepts of destruction, exile, memory, and repair to trace artistic responses and show how they helped define a transformative era of American art. Essays also explore how Jewish Americans memorialized the victims in the immediate aftermath of the Holocaust and how artists in the final decades of the twentieth century continued to confront its legacy. A timeline of events pertaining to World War II and Jewish communal life in the United States provides additional context for the choices made by artists as they addressed an unprecedented catastrophe in their work. Published in association with the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University Exhibition Schedule: Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University (September 4-December 15, 2025)
30,000 Years of Art
'A celebration of art-making.' - Wall Street JournalAn accessible, comprehensive celebration of the vast range of human artistry from 28,000 BC to today, now available in a gift-friendly mini formatPhaidon's groundbreaking book presents art differently from all other compendia by revealing the huge diversity - or in many cases, the similarity - of artistic achievements around the globe.Images of more than 600 works from all periods and regions are arranged in chronological order, each with a short text that puts the work in critical context and explains its contribution to the development of art history.
Marina Abramovic: Nomadic Journey and Spirit of Places
Now available in a hand-signed collectible edition of 500, this intensely personal assemblage of travel notes and sketches by revered performance artist Marina Abramović offers an essential iconography of her work. Nomadic Journey and Spirit of Places gives readers unprecedented access to the creative process of a brilliant artist. Housed in an ornate clamshell box with a magnet latch, this new collector's edition features 150 unbound prints on high-quality paper, each with an artwork from Abramović's collection of drawings, collages, poetry, writings, cut-outs, photographs and doodles, as well as a separate explanatory booklet and a unique print signed by Abramović herself. Beautifully produced and packaged, it takes readers on a journey through Abramović's thoughts--and traces the evolution of the most fruitful phase of her career. "I believe we humans need to keep moving forward, and my own life was purely nomadic," Abramović writes of her travel diaries. "My home was everywhere I went because my home was my own body." Filled with archival material compiled over the course of four decades, and specially selected by the artist for this collector's edition, Nomadic Journey and Spirit of Places offers Abramović's enormous fanbase intimate access to her creative process.
