Books

"Everything  important that I have done can be put into a little suitcase," Duchamp  said in 1952: finally that suitcase is available to all. One of the most important and enigmatic  pieces of modernist art, Boîte-en-valise (Box in a...

 “There is never a time in the future in which we will work out our salvation. The challenge is in the moment, the time is always now,” wrote James Baldwin. Published in conjunction with the eponymous exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery,...

This visual gift book introduces readers to the field of Black figuration by highlighting key works from the National Portrait Gallery exhibition The Time is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure. The selections included in this brief introduction...

Michael R. Taylor (Author) with essays by Andrew Lins, Melissa S. Meighan, and Beth A. Price, Ken Sutherland, Scott Homolka, and Elena Torok In his early thirties, Marcel Duchamp convinced everyone that he had abandoned making art in favor of playing...

Few artists tried as hard as Claude Monet (1840–1926) to capture light itself on canvas. The painter of whom Cézanne said “only  an eye, but my God what an eye!” he stayed true to the principle of absolute fidelity to the visual sensation, painting...

Tracing the surge in creativity and transformations in culture and the arts during one of history’s most tumultuous decades Boom: Art and Design in the 1940s looks at the complex shifts in technology and the arts, including music, film, and fashion,...

Matthew Affron (Author) With contributions by Cécile Debray, Alexander Kauffman, Michael R. Taylor, and John Vick This book offers an engaging and accessible introduction to one of the twentieth century’s greatest and most enigmatic artists, Marcel...

No German painter evokes such strong emotions as Caspar David Friedrich: his evening skies remain icons of longing, his mountain vistas testaments to the grandeur of nature.  He inspired Samuel Beckett to write Waiting for Godot and Walt...

 In early modern Japan, cultural salons were creative spaces for people of all ages and social levels to pursue painting, poetry, and other artistic endeavors as serious but amateur practitioners. All using a pen- or art-name, individuals were able...

Trace the genesis of Jackson Pollock’s work in this intimate portrait of the radical twentieth-century artist through the diverse cultural influences that charted his artistic evolution. Jackson Pollock’s “drip technique” paintings are among the most...

Brimming with stunning reproductions and illuminating texts, this handy and accessible book is the perfect introduction to the famous Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. Albrecht Dürer (1471–1521) is considered the most important German painter and...

Perfect for framing, this inspiring book of prints features twenty celebrations of world-changing women. Vashti Harrison's beloved illustrations of historical figures -- scientists, activists, artists, and more -- are the perfect gift for today's young...

Beautifully illustrated and accessibly written, Dream Big, Little One; Think Big, Little One; and Follow Your Dreams, Little One are board book adaptations of the bestselling Little Leaders, Little Dreamers, and Little Legends books. These inspiring...

An omnibus edition collecting fifteen volumes of Hokusai's dedicated drawing manuals, also known as e-tehon. Best known for woodblock prints such as The Great Wave off Kanagawa, the ninteenth-century artist Hokusai was prolific in other media. Of...

A visual journey through Zen’s influence on Japanese life, from calligraphy to the martial arts Formed by a convergence of the Buddha’s teachings with Taoism and local tradition, Zen has had a profound impact on the art and culture of Japan...

How did you become a knight? How heavy was a suit of armor? Where did knights live? And what was it like to take part in a battle? Discover the answers to these questions and more in this fact-filled book all about knights, then turn to the back of the...

Celebrate the creative process of pioneering American abstract painter Joan Mitchell in this beautifully illustrated STEAM picture book, perfect for all kinds of young creators. It’s 1983, and American artist Joan Mitchell is in her studio outside Paris,...

This set of fun page flags features a selection of great artists from the Impressionist period.  240 flags per set  

This set of classic characters adhesive flags is a humble tribute to the amazing women that it features! 240 flags per set

Five centuries of fascinating female creativity presented in more than 400 compelling artworks and one comprehensive volume The most extensive fully illustrated book of women artists ever published, Great Women Artists reflects an era where art made by...

Drawing on thousands of never-before-translated letters and unpublished sources, this biography reveals dramatic new information about the life and work of one of the late nineteenth century’s most important painters. Despite being mocked at the...

Wanda Gág is best remembered for her illustrated children's books, such as Millions of Cats, but she also produced inventive prints that deal with the forces of nature and infuse everyday objects with special character and energy. In this richly...

The classic illustrated folktale by the author of Millions of Cats—now back in print after nearly thirty years! Gone Is Gone addresses an age-old question between couples—who works harder? This long-out-of-print children’s book is based on a charming...

  In Snippy and Snappy, we are introduced to brother and sister field mice living with their mother and father in a cozy nook in a hay field. Their father enthralls them with stories about gardens in big fields, houses in big gardens, kitchen...

A window into the world of functional everyday design The designers Jasper Morrison and Naoto Fukasawa have compiled 204 everyday objects in search of “super normal design”: alongside examples of anonymous design like the Swiss Rex vegetable...

Jacqueline Woodson's National Book Award and Newbery Honor winner is a powerful memoir that tells the moving story of her childhood in mesmerizing verse.  A President Obama "O" Book Club pick. Raised in South Carolina and New York, Woodson always...

Granny teaches her grandson to cook the family meal in this loving celebration of food, traditions, and gathering together at the table.  On Sundays, everyone gathers at Granny's for Soul Food. But today, I don't go to the backyard or the great room...

In this New York Times Bestseller, B is for Beautiful, Brave, and Bright!  And for a Book that takes a Bold journey through the alphabet of Black history and culture.  Letter by letter, The ABCs of Black History celebrates a story that spans...

Black is a wonderful color. Black is special. It is true. It's the sky when the morning is new. In this loving and lovely ode to the color black, a girl describes the many wonders of her world-from the black of starry nights to her own black eyes, clear...

Parks' impactful images from the forefront of the civil rights and Black Power movements Originally published in 1971, Gordon Parks’ Born Black was the first book to unite his writing and his photography and also the first to provide a focused survey of...

 Examining aesthetic connections between the works of more than 50 Black artists from throughout the global diaspora This book was born out of frustration with art histories that emphasize Black artists’ resilience over the aesthetic impact of their...

A general introduction to the art, and architecture, of medieval Europe from the Early Christian to Late Gothic period. Arranged chronologically and regionally, the text is full of illustrated examples, with particular emphasis on France.  ...

Capturing the natural beauty of coastal landscapes and the delicate play of light on water, this volume celebrates impressionist depictions of nautical and beachside life. The impressionists were forever inspired by the sea, which Claude Monet...

This newly revised and updated hardback edition is published to coincide with an exhibition touring the USA. In the years between the Revolution of 1848 and the end of World War II, the art world, centered in Paris, witnessed remarkable transformations...

The first book to celebrate painter William H. Johnson’s Fighters for Freedom series, a tribute to African American heroes who worked to achieve social justice. William H. Johnson painted his Fighters for Freedom series in the mid-1940s as a tribute to...

Billy Brown, 2023 winner of the Witmer Stone Award for Best Ornithological Book of the Year from the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club Do snakes and salamanders fascinate you or make you squeamish? Have you ever listened closely to the birds chirping...

Imagine what it would be like to have a dragon as a pet! Join our funny female protagonist on her latest flight of fancy, but watch out for that burning bad breath! Dragons are mighty mythical beasts . . . and perfect pets. Getting to school is a breeze...

The original American classic with a refrain that millions of kids love to chant: Hundreds of cats, thousands of cats, millions and billions and trillions of cats.  Once upon a time there was an old man and an old woman who were very lonely, so they...

Ellsworth Kelly's paintings and sculptures take center stage in this creative visual presentation of opposites. The pairings range from together/apart to vertical/horizontal, from full/empty to front/back [of a canvas!], providing readers with both...

The influential art of Josef Albers is used to teach shapes in this stylish read-aloud board book, which takes children through Albers'  range of geometrics, one artwork per page, beginning with squares and returning to them as a familiar refrain...

The must-have guide for all artists who need to realistically draw clothing! In Morpho: Clothing Folds and Creases, artist and teacher Michel Lauricella presents a unique approach to learning to draw clothing. By connecting the underlying anatomy to...

The must-have guide for all artists who draw the human figure! This small, portable book presents a unique perspective on the head, face, and neck for artists to study and implement in their drawing work. In this book, artist and teacher Michel...

The must-have guide for all artists who draw the human figure! In Morpho: Hands and Feet, artist and teacher Michel Lauricella presents a unique approach to learning to draw the human body. In this book, Lauricella focuses exclusively on the hands and...

Understanding Philadelphia’s history requires that we understand that nothing is inevitable; history is not made by abstract forces, but by the decisions of real individuals as they conduct their lives. With its insightful analysis and engaging prose ,...

Jean-Claude Lebensztejn’s history of the urinating figure in art, Pissing Figures 1280–2014, is at once a scholarly inquiry into an important visual motif, and a ribald statement on transgression and limits in works of art in general...

The Arena Chapel in Padua was completed in 1303; Giotto, then considered the preeminent painter in Italy, was commissioned to paint it in 1306. The resulting fresco cycle, detailing the history, birth, life, and death of Christ, ranks among the greatest...

Selections from Romaine Brooks’s unpublished memoir No Pleasant Memories expose the psyche and practice of this underrecognized queer, female artist.   Most known for her bold and darkly painted portraits, Brooks was revolutionary in her...

Charles Baudelaire, considered a father of modern poetry, wrote some of the most daring and influential prose of the nineteenth century. Prior to publishing the international bestseller Les Fleurs du mal (1857), he was already notable as a forthright...

Written between 1913 and 1929, revolutionary years in art history, Dix Portraits conveys the deep human engagement between an artist and her subject. The artist book unites Stein’s ten portraits in prose with sketches by five artists: Pablo...

Derek Jarman's Blue weaves a sensory tapestry that serves as both a political call to action and a meditation on illness, dying, and love.   “For Blue there are no boundaries or solutions.” —Derek Jarman   Originally...

“Criticism is our censorship . . .” So begins one of the greatest invectives against criticism ever written by an artist. Paul Gauguin wrote “Racontars de rapin” only months before he died in 1903, but the essay remained...

Long overlooked in Proust’s posthumously published writings, Chardin and Rembrandt, written when he was only twenty-four years old, not only reemphasizes the importance of visual art to his development, but contains the seeds of his later work...

 First published in 1998, Leeming’s landmark biography of Beauford Delaney returns to print Long out of print, this new edition of David Leeming’s landmark biography of Beauford Delaney (1901–79) features an introduction by Hilton Als. Leeming, also...

Translated into English for the first time, On Contemporary Art, a speech by the renowned novelist César Aira, was delivered at a 2010 colloquium in Madrid dedicated to bridging the gap between writing and the visual arts.   On...

Never before translated into English, Rainer Maria Rilke’s fascinating Letters to a Young Painter, written toward the end of his life between 1920 and 1926, is a surprising companion to his infamous Letters to a Young Poet, earlier correspondence...

The Japanese woodblock print showcased breathtaking landscapes, blush-inducing erotica, ghosts and demons that torment the living, and made sumo wrestlers and kabuki actors into rock stars. This book reveals the most exceptional prints from 1710–1925,...

Discover the world’s greatest artists, including Frida Kahlo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Vincent van Gogh, and the stories of the real children who knew them. Now, for the first time, Laurence Anholt’s beloved children’s art book series, which has sold...

 How medieval Gothic art inspired a generation. Gothic Modern illuminates the pivotal discovery of medieval Gothic art for Edvard Munch, Käthe Kollwitz, and their artist contemporaries. It explores their deep attraction to the Gothic art of...

 Showcases some of the most stunning treasures from the dynasty that created the Taj Mahal The Great Mughals presents, for the first time, the opulent, internationalist culture of Mughal Hindustan in the age of its greatest emperors: Akbar (r...

In this exploration of contemporary photography, David Levi Strauss questions the concept that “seeing is believing”. Identifying a recent shift in the dominance of photography, David Levi Strauss looks at the power of the medium in the age of...

This Is Not a Book Everyday enigma from Belgium's leading Surrealist From men in bowler hats, floating in the sky, to a painting of a pipe above the caption "this is not a pipe", René Magritte (1898–1967) created an echo chamber of object and image, name...

Discover the charm of our dolls house bookmark with a full narrative illustration on both sides. Peek into the terrace house and immerse yourself in the story! Each piece is carefully crafted to create a striking and multifaceted look that is sure to...

A tall cat for telling tall tails! Designed for cat lovers but would also make a great little gift for a favorite teacher. This double-sided bookmark is made from leather sourced from a family run Scottish tannery using skins sourced as a byproduct from...

An accessible, inspirational, and engaging introductory survey of LGBTQIA+ photography, as told through the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Drawing on one of the oldest and largest photography collections in the world, Calling the...

 A unique compendium of Indian crafts, this informative source-book maps the handicrafts of the subcontinent and captures the traditions that have enriched the day-to-day lives, and incomes, of Indian craftspeople. Handmade in India examines all...

 A magnificently illustrated oversize book that uses art to illuminate the lives of medieval women, from peasants to queens Medieval women ruled over kingdoms, abbeys, and households; produced stunning works of art and craft; and did the hard work...

This expanded and revised edition celebrates the work of Ghanaian artist El Anatsui by exploring the artist's life and the trajectory of his remarkable career. El Anatsui: Art and Life by Susan Mullin Vogel is the essential resource on the Ghanaian...

The product of more than 30 years of research, this astounding and authoritative volume reveals the political metaphors underpinning El Anatsui’s magnificent abstract sculpture Authored by two acclaimed scholars, Okwui Enwezor and Chika Okeke-Agulu, this...

 Picturing Black History uncovers untold stories and rarely seen images of the Black experience, providing new context around culturally significant moments. This beautiful collectible volume makes a thoughtful gift and is full of rousing,...

The perfect book for anyone who loves making art - and making a mess!  Meet the boy who can't stop creating art! He loves colors, shapes, textures and EVERYTHING inspires him: his socks, the contents of the fridge, even his cat gets a new coat (of...

Can you guess who? Who's hiding behind bright blue feathers? Who's covering their face with yellow wings, or a bushy orange tail? Little ones will delight in lifting the flaps to find out just who is playing peekaboo in this cheerfully illustrated board...

Vincent van Gogh boarded the last train from The Hague to Hoogeveen on Tuesday, September 11, 1883. He stays there for several weeks, then moves to Nieuw-Amsterdam/Veenoord and visits Zweeloo. The landscape makes a deep impression on him. Everywhere...

The Flemish Primitive artist Hans Memling (c. 1435–1494), who played a crucial role in early Netherlandish painting, is inextricably associated with Bruges. Among his most impressive creations are the St John Altarpiece and the St Ursula Shrine, which he...

This is the first book about Hokuei - one of the most intriguing artists ever in kabuki-actor prints Lavishly illustrated with over 300 images, it brings the world of kabuki alive in fascinating detail The book includes a fully illustrated and annotated...

 A celebration of the work and ambition of the women who were at the heart of the Arts and Crafts Movement. Women Pioneers of the Arts and Crafts Movement is a celebration of the work and ambition of the women who were at the heart of the most...

This lyrical, timely picture book with beautiful diorama illustrations shows that if you really look, you never know what the world might give you to see. The natural world is full of patterns to enjoy for those who can ground themselves, be mindful, and...

Light up your life Luminary design of the 20th century Designed to be a companion to our classic title 1000 Chairs, this edition contains an awesome selection of over 1000 lights. Presented chronologically by decade are the 20th century’s most...

Make way for the ballerinas! From pliés to tutus, this adorable board book will have little dancers leaping to their feet. Young readers will explore the magical world of ballet including dance studios, teachers, classes, basic ballet steps, costumes,...

The inspiring biography of Ghanaian artist El Anatsui whose handmade sculptures, created from discarded bottle tops, have received international acclaim and been showcased around the world. "If you touch something, you leave a charge on it and anybody...

Afterglow brings together the known memorial paintings by Frederic Edwin Church (1826–1900) for the first time, unveiling how Church returned to the medium of landscape throughout his career to create solace in times of loss. This book presents new...

In a world of infinite images here is a guide to 65 of the best ever taken. From early experiments with light and form through Leica masterpieces and now artificially generated images, take it or leave it, this is our opinion as to why these particular...

For as long as there’s been paint, there have been women painters – these are the painters you may not have heard of who have shaped the way we see. From artists at the forefront of the Dutch Golden Age to avant-garde radicals in Soviet Russia and...

A new history of digital art from the 1960s to the present day, with decade-by-decade essays exploring evolving digital art practices, alongside interviews with artists, gallerists, museum curators, and collectors. This new, image-led history of global...

 Explore the dynamic world of 1960s pop art through Lucy Lippard's insightful analysis of this groundbreaking international art movement. Surprising, questioning, challenging, enriching: the Pocket Perspectives series presents timeless works by...

 What is the purpose of art in a world on fire? Can it be a genuine form of political resistance? What is the purpose of art in a world on fire? In this exhilarating and deeply inspiring work, Amber Massie-Blomfield considers the work of artists,...

 The dramatic story of an ingenious man who explained nature and created a country. Benjamin Franklin was one of the preeminent scientists of his time. Driven by curiosity, he conducted cutting-edge research on electricity, heat, ocean currents,...

Meet 52 icons of color from the past and present in this celebration of inspirational achievement—a collection of stories about changemakers to encourage, inspire, and empower the next generation of changemakers. Jamia Wilson has carefully curated this...

The first monograph on the work of celebrated and influential Kenyan-American artist Wangechi Mutu Wangechi Mutu's remarkable body of work touches on such issues as sexuality, ecology, politics, and the rhythms and chaos that govern the world. Her...

African American art in the era of Malcolm X and the Black Panthers In the period of radical change that was 1963–83, young black artists at the beginning of their careers confronted difficult questions about art, politics and racial identity. How to...

This is the first comprehensive monograph on acclaimed painter Amy Sherald, whose distinctive style of simplified realist portraiture features African American subjects rendered against colorful monochrome backdrops or in everyday settings. Sherald rose...

Tender yet compelling, Johnson's portraits of herself, her friends and her relatives are touchstones of Black figuration. A founding member of the Black British Arts Movement, Claudette Johnson (born 1959) creates large-scale drawings of Black people...

A celebration of Black History for babies and toddlers! We Are Black History Board Book from Mudpuppy is a wonderful introduction to the black leaders and trailblazers who have shaped our world! From the inspiring words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to...

This deluxe hardcover survey, featuring profiles of 50 artists on the rise, is the definitive guide to contemporary African art. With African artists attracting sizable audience numbers to museums, setting sky-high auction records, and appearing in...

Seen is a journal of film, art, and visual culture, dedicated to platforming nuanced and rigorous writing by and about Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities globally.   Issue 007 highlights include: Ja’Tovia Gary and philosopher Dr. Joy James...

Fiery dragons, playful centaurs, the mysterious garusa, the web-footed bunyip--these and other mythological creatures abound in Eric Carle's Dragons Dragons. Carle celebrates mythology and legends from around the world and breathes life into the...

Wright on The star pieces of America’s greatest architect A building by Frank Lloyd Wright (1867–1959) is at once unmistakably individual and evocative of an entire era. Notable for their exceptional harmony with their environment, as well as for their...

 Improve your skills and techniques for drawing mammals! This small, portable book presents more than 500 drawings for 100 species of mammals, collected into categories of habitat—land, water, and air. In this book, artist and teacher Michel...

 The must-have guide for all artists who draw the human figure! This small, portable book presents a unique perspective on the human body for artists to study and implement in their drawing work. In this book, artist and teacher Michel Lauricella...

A new introductory guide to the art of looking at and engaging with photography. Photographs, even the most iconic, often have something seemingly obvious about them. They appear to represent the "real" world and our first instinct is that they can be...

 A fascinating introduction to the world of Korean myth and legend. The myths of Korea may seem a complex and intriguing mix of ghosts, spirits, and superstition, but they form the bedrock of one of the most vibrant global cultures today. In the...