Scenes of gardens and of love, idyllic hunting parties, picturesque farms, and lifelike animal figurines in porcelain were popular motifs in table decoration from the Baroque to the beginning of the 19th century. These ‘worlds in miniature’ were intended to initiate conversation among the table guests – and of course attest to the discerning taste of the hosts. The decorative pieces were, for all intents and purposes, part of the furnishing scheme and finished off the room’s interior as a total work of art down to the last detail. Central to this was the artisanal sophistication and the perfect mastery of the latest techniques, which breathed new life into the miniatures.
Following on from Courtly Companions: Pugs and Other Dogs in Porcelain and Faience, now Courtly Pleasures presents the most beautiful table decorations produced by a variety of manufacturers, all from the abundant treasures of a southwest German private collection.
Text in English and German.
Joni Marriott loves to depict complicated and abstract content as clearly as possible, drawing in analogue and ink in the tradition of ligne claire. Her poetic and surreal illustrations inspire clients worldwide, including well-known newspapers and magazines such as the New York Times Magazine, Greenpeace, the Economist, Spiegel and many more.
Since 2015, she has dedicated herself to the on-going project “Daily drawings” in addition to her commissioned work. Every day she illustrates a feeling, an event or a thought from her life, preferably by combining delicious impossibilities. These drawings are created quickly, tell a lot and each viewer can read his or her very own story in them. For anyone who likes clever, poetic and humorously disturbing drawings, this best of “Daily Drawings” calendar is a wonderful companion throughout the year.
Joni Marriott loves to depict complicated and abstract content as clearly as possible, drawing in analog and ink in the tradition of ligne claire. Her poetic and surreal illustrations inspire clients worldwide, including well-known newspapers and magazines such as the New York Times Magazine, Greenpeace, the economist, Spiegel and many more.
Since 2015, she has dedicated herself to the on-going project ‘Daily drawings’ in addition to her commissioned work. Every day, she illustrates a feeling, an event or a thought from her life, preferably by combining delicious impossibilities. These drawings are created quickly, tell a lot and each viewer can read his or her very own story in them.
For anyone who likes clever, poetic and humorously disturbing drawings, this Daily Drawings calendar is a wonderful companion throughout the year.
For many people, their home encapsulates their life. No matter how big or small, a home is a direct representation of the homeowner’s attitude, their opinions, and their individual aesthetics. Using the home as a starting point, this compilation is filled with the first-hand accounts of local and international residents who live in Shanghai. People from all professions – office workers, chefs, designers, and even diplomats – describe their daily lives and how they have come to find themselves in this metropolis, whether they reside in small apartments, studio spaces, three-storey lane houses, or modern skyscraper apartments overlooking Pudong’s immense skyline. Each resident tells their personal story, offering a unique insight into why so many people from around the world have made their home in Shanghai.
This daily tear-off calendar presents 365 iconic reggae covers that reflect the diversity and spirit of reggae culture. From legends like Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Jimmy Cliff to small indie pressings straight from Jamaica, this daily tear-off calendar presents a visual journey through the history and diversity of reggae culture.
The colorful designs and powerful images of the record covers tell of freedom, resistance and joie de vivre. A must-have for all fans of Jamaican music, vinyl lovers and culture enthusiasts!
Gilbert & George created Dark Shadow in 1974 as a ‘living sculpture book,’ the ‘result of our past three years of earnest daily thoughts, shadows, deeds, cares, and pleasures.’ Hurtwood’s limited re-edition of 2,000 marks its fiftieth anniversary.
Featuring original text and artwork by Gilbert & George, the publication offers an unparalleled perspective on the early career of one of the twentieth century’s most significant artistic duos. Like their art, Gilbert & George’s writing is irreverent, rebellious, often funny, and deeply poetic. The book includes a letter to their readers and photographs by the artists of themselves, their home in East London, and their pictures.
Dark Shadow is structured into eight chapters, which elaborate on the inspirations behind Gilbert & George’s work, such as London life and British culture, including, of course, Gordon’s Gin. As is emblazoned on the cover, Dark Shadow is a continuation of their lifelong agenda ‘Art for All’, and each book is a piece of art in itself, uniquely bound in the UK with hand-marbled cloth.
This book, published by Maretti Editore and curated by Sara Favilla, with photographs by Lido Vannucchi, delves into some of the key pillars of chef Edoardo Tilli’s philosophy. These principles are developed and practiced daily in the kitchen of his restaurant, Podere Belvedere, in the province of Florence. Tilli goes beyond discussing ingredients like meat; he deeply explores pressing contemporary issues such as animal breeding and feeding, the concept of respecting a healthy life that adheres to standards of wholesomeness, and justifying the sacrifice of animals to obtain better quality meat, processed without waste. Tilli’s vision is forward-looking while rooted in the past, seeking answers and examples to revive social and cultural practices, beginning with the pleasures of eating.
Text in English and Italian.
Of all the customs and traditions concerning the lives of oriental women, the harem is probably the most familiar and least understood in the West. Travellng artists, writers and poets let their imagination run unbridled upon this theme. To such an extent that in all the paintings from the early eigtheenth century to the 1940s, reality and imagination are closely intermingled. Beyond the theme of odalisques and almahs, this volume reflects upon the small pleasures of daily life, family and women’s work. Over 150 Orientalist painters, both prestigious and less known, are brought together in this book as individual monographs.
The modifier b+b Auto, founded in Frankfurt, 1973 by Rainer Buchmann and his brother Dieter, caused a stir in the European and international car scene of the ’80s. Their technical innovations and spectacular design made them stand apart from the crowd.
Initially focussed on Porsche cars, b+b established themselves as a name to be remembered when they presented their Porsche Turbo Targa with prismatic coloured varnish at the Polaroid stand on Fotokina 1976 Cologne. At IAA Frankfurt 1979 they launched b+b CW 311, a contemporary modification of the legendary Mercedes 300 SL. Mercedes-Benz was so enthusiastic about the car that they allowed Buchmann to continue using the Mercedes star as a brand logo. During the 1980s, b+b was one of the most successful modifiers of production cars. They transformed off-the-line automobiles into individualized luxury vehicles for those who could afford it – customers from the Arab world, celebrities from the Jet-Set, and many more…
However Buchmann’s real passion belonged to the area of electronic innovations. The money he earned with his tuning activities was invested into research in this field. He was the first to think about centralized door locking by means of remote control as well as park distance control and he invented the first car computers. In 1983 his multi-function steering wheel was protected by patent. This comprehensive book, produced in close cooperation with Merck Group, one of the world’s leading chemical companies for whom Buchmann popularized a new and special kind of bright enamel varnish, presents the complete history of Rainer Buchmann’s technical and entrepreneurial achievements.
“Stunning images in fine art photobook capture the ‘strength and dignity’ of America’s cowboys and their breathtaking Wild West home.” – Daily Mail
“Titled American Cowboys, the book captures the pioneering spirit of modern cowboys and cowgirls, turning the camera on high-stakes rodeos, hard-working ranchers and horseback rides across stunning desert landscapes.” – Daily Mail
The ranching communities in the heartland of the great American West may be a long way from New York City, but renowned photographer Anouk Masson Krantz has been drawn back time and time again to explore this largely unfamiliar and overlooked part of the world. In West: The American Cowboy, Anouk revisits this enduring iconic symbol of America’s pioneering spirit. Set out in a stunning large-format book, the pages within inspire with a fresh and contemporary perspective of the American West. Along with the cowboy’s ranching traditions comes a life built around the core values and faith that are central to their integrity. Long admired for their strength, relentless work ethic, and humble values, the forgotten American cowboy is alive and well, and has never stood in such stark contrast to the rapidly changing nation that surrounds them.
Earning wide acclaim for her incredible fine art work exhibited in galleries and published in the bestselling Wild Horses of Cumberland Island (2017), also by IMAGES, West: The American Cowboy is another artful, intimate study of the American character and their sense of place, and is a unique collection of works brought together by this award-winning photographer and storyteller. Also available by Anouk Krantz: Wild Horses of Cumberland Island ISBN 9781864708851
“It’s surely the ultimate coffee-table book…. “ — Daily Mail
“This exciting collection lends itself to significant discussion and interest, given coffee is such a large part of our daily culture around the globe.” — Travel by Entree
“… another brilliant document of an exciting epoch in coffee culture.” — We Heart
“Do you love coffee, traveling and design? Then this is a must-have for you! The addresses of 39 cafes, café clubs and coffee roasteries in 26 cities in different parts of the world can be found in a unique book and album in one “Café Cool: feel-good inspiring designs”. The author, Robert Schneider, presents an amazing collection of modern, designer places, designed to turn the coffee experience into an art.” — AD Poland
“This book is a homage to his belief that, particularly given the recent global pandemic, it is vital that we continue to support and appreciate quality coffee in cafes and coffee shops that exhibit great feel-good inspiring designs.” — Coffee T&I
Café Cool: feel-good inspiring designs is the much-anticipated third book in the series by Robert Schneider, and features 39 cafés and coffee shops and roasteries in 26 cities around the world, richly illustrated with full-color images. The curated selection shares a focus on modern contemporary designs, showcasing independent, local coffee hubs that sit at the heart of communities and are designed to foster a fantastic coffee experience. Insightful commentary by the owners and designers capture the feel and personality of each project. Schneider has once again served up an engaging and inspiring collection of modern cafés and coffee shops for lovers of coffee and good design. This book is a homage to his belief that, particularly given the recent global pandemic, it is vital that we continue to support and appreciate quality coffee in cafes and coffee shops that exhibit great feel-good inspiring designs.
No compromises! The new edition of the cult calendar now with 100% finest and pure punk!
After the success of Volume 1, it’s back – more radical, more raw and consistently punk orientated. This daily tear-off calendar presents 365 iconic punk vinyl covers from all over the world! But this time without a detour into the new wave scene. A piece of music history every day, with information on bands, labels and releases.
Perfect for punk fans, vinyl lovers and anyone who wants to live the rebellious spirit in every-day life. An indispensable highlight for your desk or wall!
Vinyl records and record stores are currently experiencing a revival, and this is also bringing the artistically designed covers of past decades back into our consciousness. They present us with real music and design history in an inspiring way.
Now, for the ninth time, the world’s first tear-off calendar is being published with 365 vinyl covers by well-known and unknown musicians from all genres. These include real classics, but also the unknown and the bizarre. In addition to the daily music inspiration and the graphic feast for the eyes, the names of the respective cover photographers, illustrators and art directors are also listed on each page. A must-have for all record lovers and graphic design nerds!
And the hit: with the printed Spotify codes, many albums can be played anywhere and immediately.
An elegantly bound collection of fine wine writing past and present – the perfect gift for wine lovers everywhere (or the wine lovers in their life).
With contributions from Michael Broadbent on good and bad vintages, Ian Maxwell Campbell on Bordeaux vs Burgundy, George Orwell and PG Wodehouse on the complementary pleasures of wine and tea, Randall Grahm on the search for California’s ‘magic grape’ and Andrew Caillard MW on the art of the wine label, it brims with wit and wisdom from some of the most erudite wine writers ever to raise a glass.
Also includes Steven Spurrier, Jason Tesauro, Jane MacQuitty, Giles MacDonogh, Philippe de Rothschild, Fiona Morrison MW, Dan Keeling, Charles Walter Berry and many more.
Like Cyril Ray’s classic Compleat Imbiber before it, In Vino Veritas might rightfully be described as ‘the quintessential late-evening or bedtime book for those who like wine’.
‘Denied wine’s bridge to gregariousness, “cabined, cribbed, confined, bound in to saucy doubts and fears,” as Macbeth once complained, we need an antidote, and rummaging around in this anthology of wine writing is a good one: It’s a set of keys to open the windows and let some sun shine in.’ – World of Fine Wine
Always New: The Posters of Jules Chéret highlights the role that French artist Jules Chéret (1836–1932) played in transforming the illustrated poster into a form of ephemeral art that embraced the public’s interest in novelty and rapid change during the 19th century. Recognized as the father of the poster, Chéret was one of the first artists to bring colorful, large-scale advertisements to the streets of Paris. People strolling down the boulevards were captivated not only by Chéret’s vibrant images, but also by how frequently new designs appeared. Chéret’s printmaking innovations allowed him to produce astonishing numbers of posters rapidly and inexpensively enough to publicize the latest pleasures the city had to offer. Drawing from the largest collection of Chéret posters in the United States, the book features over 100 works that span the artist’s career and includes both his most celebrated and lesser-known images. Always New brings Chéret into focus as a master of his medium, an artist who celebrated the ephemeral nature of posters and shaped the way they were created and experienced.
“These are just a few highlights amongst the 43 projects featured in Architects at Home, but each is certain to reveal both the pleasures and challenges of designing a home for oneself.” — Canadian Interiors
This stunning revised and updated edition takes you on a thrilling tour through the fascinating, eclectic and stylish abodes of some of the world’s best-known architects. Not only do these pages offer a rare glimpse into each architect’s personal, private environment, but each uniquely designed project provides insight into how each architect marries trends with their own personal philosophy, and how they inject interior design flair into their own contemporary domain.
Combining rich photography and spectacular imagery with an incisive summary by a leading architecture specialist, Architects at Home provides a rich source for those keen to delve into the design aesthetics, concepts and innovations of prominent architects from around the globe.
Experience the sights and sounds of the City of Lights like a true native with this expanded edition Bill Gillham has been visiting Paris for decades. For him, the pleasure is not in revisiting the tourist sights, but rather in immersing himself in a particular quartier, discovering little shops and bistros, exploring markets, parks, and local entertainment, and finding the quirks and particularities of the city’s day-to-day life. In this unique guidebook, Bill takes travelers to 21 of his favorite areas in Paris–some central, some suburban, all off the beaten track. Neglected or completely ignored by ordinary guide books, each of these locales has a purely individual, Parisian character and make superb bases for traditional sightseeing, and in particular an ideal way of seeing Paris with children. All the information about where to stay; how to get about; where to shop and eat; which museums, parks, playgrounds to not miss; and what to avoid is provided along with lush photographs that give a hint of the pleasures to be gleaned. All the information has been meticulously updated, and many sections have been enlarged and improved.
San Francisco: the home of hills and valleys, of dreamers and trailblazers, of hippies and hipsters. From the gold rush to the Golden Gate, the City by the Bay has always basked in the glow of its colorful and celebrated history and world-renowned landmarks. But for those who live and love on this compact, seven-mile by seven-mile metropolis, San Francisco is a treasure trove of unusual neighborhood sights and places that sparkle with the allure of hidden pleasures and local lore. Discover a stairway that transports you from the depths of the ocean to the heights of outer space; take a spin class amidst the grand elegance of a repurposed 1920s movie palace; or slide down a century-old sundial that sits at the center of what was once California’s first racetrack for cars. This is the real San Francisco. Strung together, the 111 experiences gathered here tell the B-side story of the city once romantically known as the Paris of the West.
1000 Piece Puzzle featuring the artwork of Alec Egan.
The pleasures of Alec Egan’s Bouquet with Cupcake (dessert) are pretty simple. Flowers are beautiful and he paints them beautifully. And cupcakes are delicious. There’s really no need to overthink this, even though Alec certainly has – over and over again throughout his floral patterned, Laura Ashley inspired, body of work. This bouquet doesn’t need much in the way of unpacking. It’s just that nice to look at. Also, that cupcake is making us hungry.
An undeniable pall hangs over the future of our world, with prospects looking increasingly uncertain and frightful. The interlocking social, political, and environmental crises exist on a planetary scale. However, from antiquity forward, the idea of an ark gave hope that humanity will, through resourcefulness, compassion, and solidarity, shepherd the world beyond catastrophe.
The Ark, an extraordinary exhibition at The Church in Sag Harbor, brings together sculptures from several generations of artists who have captured humanity’s deepest pleasures and fears through imagination and self-expression. Curated by renowned artist Eric Fischl, this collection resonates with the ancient story of survival against overwhelming odds. Within this contemporary ark, you’ll discover sculptures that embody the inherent beauty of animals while simultaneously exploring the mythic, visual, and cultural with unexpected power.
This book presents works that are not mere representations but embodiments of mysteries in our struggle for survival and protection against a hostile world. From Louise Bourgeois’s monumental spiders to Deborah Butterfield’s reclining horses, from William Kentridge’s bronze pigeons to Jane Rosen’s ethereal glass raptors—each piece invites contemplation of our place in nature.
Calouste Gulbenkian amassed a remarkable collection of Japanese art. This lesser known facet of the collector’s activity was explored in the exhibition Floating world: ‘ukiyo-e’ Japanese prints, which presented a large number of Japanese prints produced between the 17th and 19th centuries that belong entirely to the Museum’s collection. The exhibition focused on the concept of ukiyo, which means ‘floating world’ and refers to the fleeting pleasures of everyday life.
The catalogue is divided into two parts. The first is a set of four essays, including three by the exhibition curators. In the first text, Jorge Rodrigues explores the set of prints acquired by Calouste Gulbenkian for his collection. Francesca Neglia then looks at two of the most popular iconographic themes in ukiyo-e: the figure of the courtesan and landscapes. In the third essay, Hannah Sigur discusses the literary network associated with ukiyo-e. Finally, Rui Xavier, Preventive Conservation Coordinator at the Gulbenkian Museum and curator of the Gulbenkian Collection’s lacquerware, writes about the damage sustained by the collection of Japanese prints after the 1967 Lisbon’s floods and the remarkable restoration process that followed.
The second part of the publication is similar in structure to the accompanying exhibition sections and includes texts on specific works or groups of works. The first chapter, ‘Different views of nature and landscape’, deals with landscape painting as an autonomous genre of ukiyo-e; in ‘Uki-e’: perspective images, the focus is on uki-e, a genre of prints made by adopting Western geometric perspective; Yoshiwara’s ‘floating world’ revolves around the authorized leisure district of Edo (present-day Tokyo) and its influence on the production of prints depicting women; ‘Ukiyo-e’s literary web’ deals with the unique and contradictory relationship between scholarly literature and poetry and the main protagonists in the ‘floating world’, such as kabuki theater actors and the so-called ‘women for play’; finally, ‘The Tōkaidō Stations’ covers the famous print series of the same name, comprising prints on various themes related to the Tōkaidō route, which ran from Edo to the imperial city of Kyoto.
Du Paquier, an independently operating Viennese porcelain factory, was established in 1718, only eight years after Meissen. Although its heyday was brief, lasting only twenty-five years, Du Paquier produced porcelain of great beauty, notable for an enchantingly graceful style and consummate sophistication of execution. In three sumptuously illustrated volumes, scholars of international standing present the distinctive style and the exciting history of Du Paquier porcelain in the context of Baroque Vienna. The first comprehensive publication on this important porcelain factory, this work has been made possible through a five-year research programme conducted by the Melinda and Paul Sullivan Foundation for the Decorative Arts. The objects shown, many of them for the first time here, are in major public and private collections. The first volume deals with the historical and stylistic background of Du Paquier porcelain: art and architecture in early eighteenth-century Baroque Vienna; furthermore, the history of the porcelain factory, its style and its manifold sources of inspiration as well as Du Paquier’s relationship to Meissen and the role played at Du Paquier by independent porcelain painters and decorators. The second volume places this Viennese porcelain in its cultural context, providing broad-ranging information on court banquet ceremony as well as private pleasures such as drinking and festive dining. Objects used in aristocratic circles are shown along with choice presents of state made to the Ottoman and Russian courts. In addition, this volume contains a new study on the Dubsky Room, the only room still in existence devoted to Du Paquier porcelain. The contents of the third volume include an annotated catalogue comprising approximately 500 objects, scholarly analysis and a chapter on the history of collecting Du Paquier porcelain, an inventory of the Dubsky Room, a bilingual glossary of terms and a complete bibliography. An enclosed CD-ROM contains transcriptions of original documents that have played an important role in the history of the Du Paquier porcelain factory. “This definitive work provides a fascinating survey of Viennese baroque court culture.”
The Art Newspaper
Custodians brings together for the first time, in this beautifully compiled collection, images of many of Oxford’s most prestigious buildings along with some rarely seen, but wonderful venues and their ‘Custodians’. Photographer Joanna Vestey set out to explore the extraordinary colleges and buildings of Oxford, behind the closed doors, often beyond the reach of the 9.5 million visitors a year who come here, and to meet the ‘Custodians’ playing a pivotal role in perpetuating these world renowned institutions. Rarely do we get to catch a glimpse behind the closed facades of these iconic structures and to see the spaces that lie within. All the images have been captured in the University City of Oxford, known as the “City of Dreaming Spires” and show its extraordinary breadth of architecture since the arrival of the Saxons. It includes venues such as the 17th Century Divinity School, the mid-18th century Radcliffe Camera continuing through to the most recent award winning RIBA nominated chapel at Ripon College completed last year. Venues such as the Sheldonian Theatre and Christchurch College sit alongside perhaps lesser known venues such as The Real Tennis Courts or the John Martyr Pawsons cricket pavilion portraying the breadth and diversity constituting the city. The ‘Custodians’ and their surroundings enjoy equal status in Joanna’s formal compositions; they seem to belong together, yet do not fuse into one, thereby asking us to question how we are all largely shaped and influenced by the structures around us – how defined we are by them and how much they form us. Full of unexpected venues beautifully photographed, this book will appeal to the his-torian, city visitor, people interested in architecture and interiors as well as to the extensive alumni network of the colleges themselves. It will also appeal to an audience interested in contemporary photography.