The ancient treasures collected over the past 20 years by Ludovic Donnadieu, hail from a myriad of ancient cultures, famous or obscure, across all five continents. The selection maintains a balanced representation of different geographical areas, ensuring that all regions of the world and all historical or prehistoric periods are accounted for. Through this comprehensive panorama, the viewer is invited on a cultural and anthropological journey through time and space.
The showcased artworks are “miniatures”; few exceed a size of 20 centimeters. Indeed, an artwork doesn’t need to be monumental to evoke profound emotional impact and fascination! Fragility can endure, the minuscule can embody grandeur, and singular detail can convey a universal message.
This selection of 99 works, forming a unique ensemble worldwide, adheres to a triple criterion: authenticity, aesthetic quality, and balance, both among the represented subjects and across different forms, materials, or functions. The period covered spans from 6,000 BC to the early 20th century. Presenting this collection to the public holds a dual significance: in a world threatened by uniformity, it celebrates the richness and diversity of human cultures while also highlighting the beauty and grandeur of small-scale formats and the need to protect what is fragile.
The Donnadieu Foundation was established in 2023, under the aegis of the Foundation for Childhood, by Ludovic Donnadieu, art collector, certified public accountant, and founder of the firm Donnadieu & Associates, which specialized in securing funds entrusted to NGOs. The Foundation aims to enable young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to broaden their horizons and engage in civic activism, while also raising awareness among the general public and policymakers about the importance of culture for the world’s youth.
Text in English and French.
Ruth Marten started her career as a tattoo artist in the 1970s before working as an illustrator for a range of publishers and magazines in the US. Her visual artwork has earned well-deserved international recognition only in the last few years.
This book is the second publication on the highly acclaimed New York artist and presents Ruth Marten’s most recent creations – 19 large-format works on paper produced between fall 2018 and summer 2019.
Marten used photographs from the 19th and early 20th centuries as the basis for these artworks. By overpainting the photos, she created literally fantastic pictures that seem to allow the impossible to become possible. Like the pioneers of surrealism, she developed a world between dream and nightmare that is full of mystery, where inanimate objects suddenly become alive and where new, unheard-of phenomena shake up our established worldview. Her works abound in psychoanalytic enigmas that have sprung from the depths of her artistic subconscious.
Text in English and German.
In 1851 John Ruskin came to the defence of the young artists of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood by writing two letters to The Times, refuting widespread criticism of their paintings. Soon afterwards he published a pamphlet entitled Pre-Raphaelitism, beginning almost a decade of public support for the work of William Holman Hunt, John Everett Millais and their associates.
Already established as one of the leading writers on art, he took a personal risk in defending the Pre- Raphaelite cause, but saw a parallel in the hostile reaction to the paintings of his artistic idol J. M. W. Turner. In Millais especially, Ruskin hoped to nurture a worthy successor in landscape painting, arguing that the Pre-Raphaelites’ attention to truth and detail offered the opportunity to establish a “new and noble school” of British art.
This is the first compilation of all of Ruskin’s published writings relating to the Pre-Raphaelites, beginning with the celebrated passage in the first volume of Modern Painters (1843) exhorting young artists to “go to nature in all …. rejecting nothing, selecting nothing and scorning nothing,” later claimed by Hunt to have been an inspiration. As well as Pre- Raphaelitism (1851), rarely reprinted since, and the fourth of the 1853 Edinburgh lectures, it includes all the comments on paintings in the annual Academy Notes (1855-9) which pertain to Pre-Raphaelitism, underlining Ruskin’s significant contribution to the movement’s popular success and the widespread acceptance of its principles. From the period after 1860, when Ruskin was concentrating more on social issues, come the the little-known articles published in the Nineteenth Century magazine under the title The Three Colours of Pre-Raphaelitism (1878), and a number of lectures, including the last of his Slade Lectures, The Art of England (1883), delivered just a few years before his mental faculties failed.
Edited with a commentary and preface by Stephen Wildman, Director of the Ruskin Library and Research Centre, University of Lancaster, and with an introduction by Robert Hewison, one of Ruskin’s successors as Slade Professor of Art at the University of Oxford.
The City of London is a special place; presently associated with business and high-level finance in particular. It is a frenetic, changing cityscape but despite the bluster it retains evidence of a fascinating history and a wealth of sumptuous architectural detail. The Vernacular of Money: Classical Architecture in the City of London documents and illustrates this wealth of institutional and commercial buildings that draw inspiration from Classical architectural canon, reinterpreting and adapting it to coeval requirements.
From graceful livery halls like the Goldsmiths’, to palatial Edwardian insurance offices to decorous official buildings like the Mansion House and Royal Exchange, the buildings documented here are unified not only geographically and culturally but also by the use of a common ‘vocabulary’ — the Classical architectural language that has influenced Western architectural discourse for the better part of two and a half millennia.
The volume is aimed both at as a reference work of architectural history and as a general interest book for the large community of present and past City of London workers and residents.
Kary H. Lasch (1914 – 1993) was a Czech-born photographer who moved to Sweden in 1939 and whose international model scouting network was based in Stockholm. His photographic career spanned the 1950s through the 1980s, and he attended the Cannes Film Festival consecutively for over 30 years. He traveled widely, and is well known for his iconic images of Picasso, Dali, Fellini, Sofia Loren, and Brigitte Bardot. Lasch was known to do anything to get a scoop on the best photos. In a famous instance, when Sofia Loren was on her way to Stockholm by train from Copenhagen in 1955, Kary picked up the train she was on in Copenhagen, bribed the concierge, and photographed her while she was dressing in the train car. When they arrived in the Stockholm Central Station, the Swedish press were competing for the best position for a picture while Sofia and Kary were looking out of the train window. This 3-volume set (Vol. 1: Famous; Vol. 2: Cannes; Vol. 3: Humorous), brings together works from the extensive Kary Lasch Collection, which contains more than 600,000 images.
The Belgian architectural firm Van Damme – Vandeputte was founded 5 years ago but their portfolio is impressive, featuring a wide range of architectural projects: new residential constructions tailored to the client’s needs, sustainable and high-quality renovations, interior design with special detailing, offices and corporate sites built with, among other things, great attention to the integration into the surroundings, and restorations of (protected) heritage sites. In this coffee-table book, compiled and designed with the greatest care, the architects present a selection of projects and shed light on the process and philosophy behind their oeuvre. The book is like an extension of their work and exemplifies the firm’s passion and dedication, captured in the amazing photos by Thomas De Bruyne (Cafeine). He specializes in architecture and interior design photography and works for renowned clients and firms in Belgium and abroad.
Why go to far-off places?
CURVES went everywhere: Austria, Italy, France, Scotland, the USA, even Northern Germany… But what about Southern Germany? That’s exactly where the next CURVES will take you. With lots of soulful driving and its right instinct for breath-taking views, for roads with a goose bump factor and for hospitable inns by the roadside, CURVES follows a route from Baden-Baden to Königssee. The first stage goes very closely past the headquarters of the best-known German sports car maker, but that’s pure coincidence.
CURVES with Stefan Bogner on Southern Germany’s most scenic roads For the new CURVES volume, photographer Stefan Bogner went in search of the top roads in Southern Germany and he found them: Fantastic views, endless curvy roads and gastronomic highlights make a very special guidebook. Buckle up!
Rare stones have fascinated people for thousands of years. Their extraction is never free of conflict, but at the same time the trading and processing of stones brings together people from the most remote regions of the world. In Germany, the town of Idar-Oberstein is considered a hub for gemstone trading and processing, and students come from all over the world to study and work here with rare materials. In LithoMania, part of the Design Lab exhibition series at the Kunstgewerbemuseum in Berlin, students from the Idar-Oberstein campus of the Trier University of Applied Sciences explore the complex ambivalence of gemstones, going beyond their use in jewelry design through objects, drawings, photographs, and texts. Since 2019 the exhibition series Design Lab has invited various design labs, organizations, and students to present their current projects and to enter into a dialog with the Kunstgewerbemuseum collection.
Text in English and German.
‘Festive and cosy Christmas living room decor ideas.’ — The Spruce
The Christmas Season is an essential guide to Scandinavian-style Christmas perfection.
Taking the core tenets of Scandinavian design and applying them to the festive season, this book reimagines the midwinter holiday as a time for tasteful restraint and creature comforts.
Blending minimalism, clean lines and functionality with ‘hygge’, a uniquely Danish concept of cosiness, Scandi interiors are some of the most sought-after and recognizable in the world. This inspirational and poetic collection of Nordic designs is sure to spark your imagination. Combining traditional Scandinavian Christmas customs with clever DIY ideas and recipes for the whole family to enjoy, this book invites you to redesign Christmas within your own home.
“Bram Demunter is a visual artist and a master of allusion. Visual intertextuality is one of the key elements of his pictures and one that is impossible to control.” – Till-Holger Borchert
The work of Bram Demunter (b. 1993) is intentionally associative in character. Drawing inspiration from the work of Flemish Primitives and contemporary artists, as well as from legends and myths, Demunter effortlessly combines a panoply of people, animals, flowers, rivers, hills and mountains in detailed compositions for his colorful paintings and drawings. This book offers an insight into Demunter’s vibrant oeuvre and his innovative visual language of color, shape and meaning. With text contributions by Till-Holger Borchert, Bram Demunter and Tom Van Laere.
Text in English and Dutch.
Learn how to craft a powerful growth strategy, from defining your vision to outmaneuvering competitors, and from leveraging technology to optimizing your marketing and sales funnel. Delve into critical chapters that cover everything from foundational growth principles to advanced tactics in marketing, financial management, and organizational development. Benefit from expert advice on navigating acquisitions, entering new markets, and fostering a company culture that champions growth as a mindset. Equip yourself with the knowledge to manage financial risks, drive customer engagement, and maximize your resources through data-driven decision-making. Designed for ambitious entrepreneurs and seasoned executives alike, this guide is your roadmap to sustainable success and industry leadership. Whether you’re looking to refine your approach or transform your business model, Growth Strategy offers the guidance, insights, perspective, and inspiration to thrive in a competitive marketplace. Don’t miss out on this essential resource for anyone looking to take their business to new heights.
A hundred years after the fall of the Ottoman Empire, the Museum Fünf Kontinente is showing the special exhibition In trockenen Tüchern! Gewebtes und Besticktes aus dem Osmanischen Reich [A Stitch in Time! Woven and Embroidered Textiles from the Ottoman Empire]. The accompanying publication provides an insight into the different aspects of inhabitants’ life during the Late Ottoman Empire, based on selected textiles and everyday items from the collections of the Museum Fünf Kontinente as well as the private collections of Ther and Middendorf. Together with their rural counterparts featuring woven red and blue patterns, the napkins and hand towels from the 18th to 20th century, artistically embroidered with blossom, fruits, or architectural elements, accompanied people from cradle to grave and bear impressive witness to their craftsmanship. Today these textile objects are a significant part of the cultural legacy of Turkey.
Text in German with partial Turkish translation.
The Smart Traveller’s Wine Guide Napa Valley is the perfect companion for the wine lover and the wine-curious. The book covers the history of this beautiful Californian wine region and its visionary founders, its unique geography and the wonderful variety of wines Napa produces. From Spring Mountain to St Helena, Carneros to Coombsville, it list where to stay and where to eat, which wineries to visit, wine routes to drive and cycle, the best downtown tasting rooms – and how to get to the places most tourists never see.
Bristol is one of the UK’s biggest cities but is small enough to sometimes feel like a village. It is a city built on trading with much of its former maritime heritage now transformed into buzzing independent harborside businesses in which to eat, drink and let your hair down. Both water and green spaces abound. And you’ll have to get used to hills when exploring this cosmopolitan city because like Rome, Bristol was built on seven of them. Step away from the obvious – the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the SS Great Britain (both designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel), or the wonderful We The Curious where science and art collide – and discover unexpected treasures such as secret gardens, hidden memorials to the past and unusual modes of transport.
Journey through the old haunts of world famous pirates; past the Oscar-winning animation studio home to Morph and Wallace & Gromit; along shopping streets that sell everything from handcrafted violin bows to locally-made gin; and through an indoor market selling everything from spices to fossils. If you know where to look, Bristol will unravel its secrets in front of your eyes.
Twenty-five portraits of upcoming and renowned interior architects and designers from all over the world. The follow-up volume of the highly successful Generation Next, ISBN 9782875500649.
Celebrated world-wide for his modern romantic jewels that push the boundaries of contemporary design, Shaun Leane has been responsible for creating a new genre of jewelry; precious, poetic, with a sense of eternity, yet relevant to today’s world.
Illustrated with a breath-taking combination of high fashion shots and detailed close-ups of the pieces themselves. Captured by photographers Nick Knight, Robert Fairer and Chris Moore, along with a dedicated photo essay of unseen backstage images recorded by Leane’s close friend Ann Ray.
Shaun Leane is introduced by the jeweler himself, then divided into three distinct parts: His heritage and training, by Joanna Hardy; reflections on Leane’s famous collaboration with Alexander McQueen, by Claire Wilcox; and his modern classic commercial jewelry style, by Vivienne Becker. Altogether, this book provides a vital overview of an artist that will be of interest to anyone who follows the contemporary jewelry and fashion scene.
Lightstream represents Nigel Grierson’s most recent foray into photographic abstraction as he makes long exposures of figures beside the light of the ocean. Taking the maxim from Dieter Appelt “A snapshot steals life that it cannot return. A long exposure (creates) a form that never existed”, Grierson makes beautiful images, which on the surface might appear to owe as much to the medium of painting as they do to photography. However, it is important to him that these are un-manipulated images straight from the camera: “From the outset, my work has been largely about ‘photographic seeing’ as I’m fascinated by what Garry Winogrand so simply described as ‘how something looks when photographed’. Hence, a sense of discovery within the work itself is very important to me; finding something new that I didn’t already know. There’s a huge element of ‘chance, and the embrace of the happy accident within this approach, which is a sort of photographic equivalent of action painting. I’m often more interested in what something suggests rather than what it actually is, each image becoming a starting point for our imagination as it edges towards abstraction”.
Yet what is unique about photography is that it always keeps something of the original subject. So there’s a dynamic duality, a dramatic to and fro in the viewer’s mind, between what it is and what it suggests. The marks and traces created by the moving light, at times have a simplicity like a child’s drawings. On occasion, the residue of a human figure might be reduced to little more than their posture or demeanor, which then seems more significant than ever, a sort of essence, whether that be elusive or illusive.
The number of ice creams bought along Bournemouth’s seafront each year: 750,000. The number of deckchairs hired out on a busy weekend: 3,000. The number of trees standing proud in the town: 47,000. Having long since shrugged off its reputation as God’s waiting room, Bournemouth and its surrounding areas have a boundless number of places to discover, explore and relish.
Whether you’re a curious local, a seasoned traveler or a one-time visitor, these 111 places will surprise, delight and astonish you. Amble over the bridge that won World War II, get whisked off on an Asian adventure, learn about Charlie Chaplin’s connection to the town, visit Florence Nightingale’s grave, order a Żubrówka, gaze into the real Alice in Wonderland’s mirror, make friends with an Egyptian mummy, stand beneath the lamppost AFC Bournemouth was formed under, and walk in the footsteps of the Fab Four, as well as the woman who brought the British government to its knees.
As you explore, take your time, take photos and take advantage of everything this extraordinary, astounding, fascinating area has to offer. The number of times you’ll gasp as you discover something new: countless.
Taking those steps that will lead to your ultimate victory and achieving top performances, everyone dreams of it. In The Ultimate Victory, top sports psychologist Ellen Schouppe teaches you how developing attitudes such as leadership, energy management and mental resilience can leverage your talents. Take your personal development into your own hands, be inspired by top performers and achieve your own goals as a professional in your field, as an athlete, as an entrepreneur, but above all, as a person.
Liverpool’s unique history as an international port and a cultural melting pot has given it a character all its own. The city has produced music that conquered the world and is home to more historic buildings than any other British metropolis outside London. It features two magnificent cathedrals and many world famous museums. But beyond its renowned exterior, is an eclectic assortment of places hidden and unknown.
This deliciously offbeat guidebook will lead you to a different Liverpool: down tunnels, up skyscrapers, and into secret bars, speciality shops, and disused factories. You will see Balenciaga trainers and vintage planes, rolling bridges and disappearing statues, Liver birds and celebrity suitcases, home-baked cakes and cast-iron churches.
Stroll under the palms in a magical glasshouse, explore a 1950s kitchen or a museum of false teeth. Relax in a hip tea bar with over 50 varieties of tea (loose leaf naturally). Marvel at the world’s most expensive book or largest brick building (27 million bricks!). Go underground to explore a network of mysterious tunnels or a perfectly preserved World War II bunker. Drink in a prison cell, picnic in a graveyard, or stay in the hotel where Winston Churchill and Bob Dylan were guests.
Think you know Liverpool? Think again! Whether you’re a long-time local, a first-time tourist, or a repeat visitor, prepare to be charmed and intrigued by 111 eccentric and unusual spots you’d never expect to find in the city best known for football and the Fab Four.
It was a reasonable success when in 1999 the first Audi R8 drove directly onto the stage in Le Mans. One year later it was the overall victory with a triumphant triple place. Up until 2016 the race cars with four rings got 12 more victories, making competitors tremble at the world’s hardest motor race.
On occasion of the 100th anniversary of the legendary 24 hour race the text-and-picture book Audi at Le Mans undertakes an exciting journey into the past. Impressive pictures and loads of background knowledge from the company’s archives tell us about a piece of Audi history – with fresh eyes and full of suspense.
- All highlights, all successes: Audi Sport‘s spectacular success story at Le Mans
- Backgrounds, facts and stories on Audi models, drivers and races
- Audi race car in the flashlight: numerous photos from the company’s archives
- Thrilling car book with high-quality design: ideal gift for Audi fans and race enthusiasts
Starting a new race car series is a challenge for car makers. The 24 hours of Le Mans are especially known as a severe endurance test for man and material. And Audi knew how to use the famous long-distance race as a stage for new technologies, all the while living up to their slogan “Vorsprung durch Technik” (“leading by technology”): the fast and reliable Audi models left their competitors in the dust. Also, the first victory of a car with diesel-and-hybrid technology went to the German car brand. In more than 300 pages, this illustrated book depicts the impressive history of the brand from 1999 until the WEC exit in 2016.
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 created for St John’s Hospital in the city. Seven more of this 15th-century master’s finest works can also be seen in Bruges, at what is now the St John’s Hospital Museum and at the Groeninge Museum.
This book describes Memling’s breathtaking paintings in close detail, while offering readers the opportunity to (re)discover his oeuvre as a whole.
Text in English and Dutch.