“It’s less of a traditional reference book and more of a meditation on place – through its people, purpose, and possibility. With a healthy yet necessary and perhaps overdue dose of historical context, political awareness, nuance, and care, they offer a portrait of California wine that finally acknowledges all the hands that shaped it.” — Decanter
“The most complete panorama yet of California wine today… An ambitious, thought-provoking book, The Wines of California is a new classic for you to read and add to your bookshelf.” — World of Fine Wine
“… It’s as interested in power structures as in Parker points, and that’s what makes it essential.” — Forbes
“… anybody interested in how California wine became a world force ought to read this book.” — NY Times
“This book is core, essential. For anyone just beginning their journey, this will put wine in context in straightforward language with little jargon…. Brown’s book is both current and timeless. Chukan Brown takes at in-depth look at the forces that made, moved and continue to shape Califorina wine. In investigating the history, they look hard at the instrumental part played by Indigenous Peoples and the reliance of the wine (and other agricultural sectors) on inexpensive farm labour. It will appeal to an audience far beyond the typical wine book reader.” — Grape Collective
A concise, complete, smartly delivered and cohesive book for serious readers and students of wine. Focusing on the world’s fourth largest producer of wine – California – the book takes readers on a journey through the golden state’s wines, paying due attention to famous regions such as Sonoma and Napa as well as introducing readers to exciting up-and-coming regions to explore.
The book is divided into three major sections. The first presents the key ideas that help make sense of California wine as a whole, including the history of California wine in brief, how the topography delivers California’s overarching climatic and soil conditions, and the basics of vineyard and winery factors relevant to the state such as the role of the AVA.
The second section takes each major region in turn and looks into its history, growing conditions and varieties, as well as discussing the most significant and interesting producers. A final section looks at current themes in Californian wine and discusses the future of the industry across the state.
- Explains all the state’s AVAs, examining the development, growing conditions and varietal trends for each.
- Profiles the main producers and individuals shaping the wine industry today.
- A useful reference on California that also provides alternative insights and insider knowledge.
- Author Elaine Chukan Brown is a prolific commentator on the wines of California and a speaker at events around the globe.
- Supported by color maps and photos.
“Every kid’s dream is captured in the pages of this ACC Art Book depicting more than 60 years of space exploration, from the foundation of NASA in 1958 to the launch of the James Webb telescope in 2021.” — Calibre Magazine
“On almost 300 pages we can marvel at what are probably the greatest milestones in NASA history. This book really shows and honors this work! A great book about space exploration!” — Lovely Books
“The history of space exploration is best presented in this book of NASA photographs, whose images are universally inspirational.” – Commander James Lovell, Apollo 13
NASA has worked at the forefront of space exploration and research since 1958. Their devotion to furthering our understanding of what lies beyond our atmosphere has seen 12 humans walk on the surface of the moon, helped form the International Space Station, and placed numerous rovers on Mars. Voyager 1, launched by NASA on 5 September 1977, is the furthest manmade object from earth, having left our solar system entirely – and the agency’s plans for the future are equally inspiring.
This book celebrates NASA throughout the years, from its inception to its 60th anniversary in 2018, and beyond. A visual tour-de-force, the book collects high resolution NASA photos of historic significance; from rarely seen photos and the words of President John F. Kennedy commanding the space race, to the many triumphs and tragedies of the Apollo Missions, moon landings, the International Space Station, space shuttles, journeys to Mars and explorations of our galaxy’s outer reaches. These breathtaking images are complemented by heartfelt words of hope and imagination for the future, encouraging readers to admire their world from a different perspective. Out of This World: Historic Milestones in NASA’s Human Space Flight is a stunning 300 page book.
Explore the world of Joel Zimmerman, aka deadmau5, with this large-format, 320-page book featuring over 500 color images. It chronicles his journey from early DJ gigs to worldwide tours, showcasing deadmau5 as an artist, DJ, performer, entrepreneur, and showman. Spanning over two decades of his groundbreaking career, the book includes a rich collection of archival photos, electrifying show shots, and exclusive behind-the-scenes images. Fans will get an up-close look at the evolution of this electronic music pioneer. This comprehensive visual journey captures the essence of deadmau5’s gigs, parties, and artistic vision, making it a must-have for anyone fascinated by the intersection of music, technology, and design.
Gilbert & George, one of the most significant artist duos of our time, created their three-film series Daytripping between 1992 and 2025. This three-volume set of books showcases Daytripping, Daytripping (Again) and Daytripping Forever! Directed by Southend-on-Sea-born British film and television director Iain B. MacDonald, the films follow three of the artists’ day trips from their studio, famously located in the East End of London, to the Essex coastline, asking bold and significant questions of the artists at different stages of their remarkable career. The three books feature stills from the films and a selection of the artists’ works, all presented in a printed slipcase. Each book also includes a link to watch the corresponding film.
Wild edible plants are fascinating: you wander through forests, bring plants and mushrooms home, and turn them into delicious dishes. With his company Forest to Plate, Ben Brumagne was one of the first in the Low Countries to put wild foraging on the map, and he has studied the subject in great depth. In this book, he not only shares his knowledge of plants, but also enriches it with beautiful stories and his own experiences. An ideal book for anyone who wants to try cooking with ingredients from nature, as well as for seasoned foragers.
“It’s a necessary conversation starter about what’s on the horizon for the wine world, and a roadmap for drinkers who want to align their values with their purchasing.” — Forbes
“As their absorbing book reveals, “climatic challenges” were a major contributor to plummeting levels of wine production that last year saw the global total drop to its lowest level since 1961… Masters and Neather outline many ways in which the industry can adapt to, and fight, climate change.” — Financial Times
“Rooted in Change is a courageous, groundbreaking, hope-filled piece of work. It gives every one of us a practical starting point. And it is a gift to all of us in the wine industry and to anyone who loves wine and cares about the planet.” — Jancis Robinson
“A cork tree will be harvested around 17 times over the 200-year span of its life; around one quarter of the glass recycled in the UK is simply crushed for aggregate. These are two of many facts I learnt from this dense yet lucid book which pulls the curtain to show the pragmatic side of wine we rarely think about.” — Telegraph
This is a compelling new book focused on the intersection of wine and sustainability. It will explore the most urgent issues facing the wine industry today, from climate change and resource management to evolving consumer expectations, offering a rich blend of tradition and innovation to inspire a sustainable future for winemaking.
Wine regions around the world, from the vineyards of Bordeaux to the valleys of California, are grappling with the undeniable effects of climate change. Record-breaking temperatures, extreme weather patterns, and resource scarcity are pressing the industry to rethink how it operates. As wineries increasingly embrace sustainable farming methods—from water conservation strategies to regenerative viticulture practices—the book will take readers through a comprehensive exploration of these pioneering approaches. The book will feature a mix of expert commentary, in-depth case studies, and engaging storytelling that illustrates how sustainability is being embraced across the global wine community—from regenerative farming practices at Tablas Creek in California to innovative water management strategies in Australia’s Barossa Valley.
Appealing to a wide range of readers, from those in the sustainability industry to other sectors, both agricultural and broader product manufacturing sectors.
“Golf, more than any other sport, is inextricably tied to the landscape. Mother Nature herself could be considered a golfer’s opponent; her rolling hills, sea breezes, and atmospheric pressure challenge all who face her. This is why golf courses are found in some of the world’s most scenic locations.” — author Stefanie Waldek
This book is a gift for every golfer – expert or novice – who dreams of traveling the world to the most beautiful golf courses. Even non-golfers will enjoy this collection of exceptional courses across the globe. Whereas the original 150 Golf Courses You Need to Visit Before You Die book fits into any golf bag, this updated version is an eye-catching book suited for any coffee table or desk. From the luxurious cover to the decorative world map poster on which you can flag your top courses with the supplied set of sticker tags, this book is a true collector’s item. Picking 150 top courses was no easy task. Author Stefanie Waldek carefully selected and described an array of courses that can be found along coastlines, in the mountains, in deserts, and along lakes. All accessible to and playable by the public.
As a professional traveler, journalist Luke Abrahams has ventured where only very few people have ventured before. He went gorilla trekking in Rwanda, discovered nomadic life in Mongolia, boarded the Andean Explorer Train in Peru, hiked volcanoes in Indonesia and Guatemala… The Luxury Travel Book bundles personal accounts of some of the experiences and places that will stay with the writer forever – whether it be for their exceptional luxuriousness, their exhilarating sense of adventure or their spiritual meaning. Each story is accompanied by the author’s own photographs, which capture his travels with a sense of warmth and intimacy. These personal snapshots transports readers inside the stories – as if they are there themselves.
The Tracy diary offers us the unique opportunity to accompany 27 nineteenth century travelers on an adventure of a lifetime, exploring Mount Desert Island, Maine, in August of 1855. This first group of summer visitors was a distinguished company and hailed primarily from New York, Hartford and Boston.
In addition to Charles Tracy, a prominent New York lawyer, whose descendants through his son, Charles, daughter, Francis, and son-in-law, J. Pierpont Morgan, continue to summer on the island. The traveling party also included Frederic Edwin Church, a leading Hudson River School artist, and his friend, Theodore Winthrop, who died gallantly in the opening battle of the Civil War and then became posthumously famous as a novelist.
After more than 170 years, Church’s playful sketches have been reunited with the first-hand account penned by Tracy, whose words strike a familiar chord in the memory of all who return again and again to the beauty and variety of Mount Desert Island.
The culture of Chinese monsters and deities has a long history. Inspired from Shan Hai Jing and other ancient books that contain relevant content, this book is a beautiful collection of illustrations that integrates deities, demons and ghosts. It includes over a hundred exquisite works, presenting various fantastical images and stories, and creating a unique spiritual world exclusive to the Chinese people. The author has a rich imagination, uses bold colors, and the works are detailed and lifelike, with wonderful stories. This book is suitable for both painting enthusiasts and illustrators and those who like Chinese mythology.
“The star-studded images are one thing, but their candid context is what makes them special.” – Joy Ling, Esquire Singapore
“…many famous names have stepped in front of his camera, captured quickly in his distinctive, clean style, with the images featuring in magazines and newspapers, galleries and exhibitions, and even earning him an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II for services of his photography.” – Chris Anderson, Air Magazine
“Andy’s contact-sheets give us what feels like a VIP pass to spend time with his subjects. We see their beauty, their flaws, charisma, humanity and even a glimpse into their thoughts and process. We see the person in these people and are touched by their being.” Kylie Minogue
“Above all Andy Gotts allows his subjects to shine through, untouched. His artistry does not come afterwards, in Photoshop and all the supposedly flattering trickery technology has taught us to expect. His skill is there in each frame, each moment, in the relationship he has built with his sitter, no matter how short a time they have shared, and the trust he has engendered in them because he is, quite simply, a good man. Anyone who encounters him can sense immediately his openness and kindness and I think this book is most of all a testament to those qualities.” Alan Cumming
” With this amazing book, you will see why Andy is as much a star as his subjects.” Gene Simmons
A 90-second shoot with Stephen Fry in 1989 launched the career of Andy Gotts, photographer to the stars. Through grift and graft and raw, honed talent, Gotts has become one of the most in-demand celebrity photographers working the circuits of Hollywood, British media, and the music industry. Gotts’s dramatic black-and-while style turns faces into artworks of shadow and light, while his color portraits capture his subjects’ ineffable humanity.
For the first time Andy Gotts reveals the incredible depth of his archive, showing his most famous portraits and many rare images alongside. The book focuses on Andy’s contact sheets, which reveal the process behind capturing the perfect image. Accompanying texts from Andy shed light on his craft and delve into the stories behind these captivating photographs. This really is the definitive, career spanning book, produced to the highest standards.
The book also contains personal testaments from a cross-section of the celebrities who Gotts has worked with: Alan Cumming, Gene Simmons, Ian McKellen, Jeff Bridges, Kylie Minogue, Michael Caine, Peter Capaldi and Simon Pegg.
“So beautiful, it hurts” – Buzzfeed
In the Land of Fire and Ice: Horses of Iceland is photographer and explorer Guadalupe Laiz’s second book celebrating her love for Iceland, its people, and its horses. In this follow up to Horses of Iceland (2019), Laiz widens her lens to not only capture the undeniable beauty of the horses in their natural habitat, but to showcase the rugged, harsh, and unpredictable environment that has shaped their character. Her intimate color and black-and-white images of the majestic Icelandic horses are pure poetry in motion.
Undertaking a more ambitious production, Laiz collaborated with local horse breeders and with Icelandic photographer, filmmaker, and artist Thrainn Kolbeinsson to capture the magnificent animals in iconic and breathtaking locations—from the famous Skógafoss blanketed with snow to the active Fagradalsfjall volcano; and galloping across beaches, frolicking amid glaciers, and with waterfalls, tundra, and fierce ocean backdrops. Kolbeinsson’s powerful drone photography featured throughout the book showcases the aerial perspective of these epic landscapes that have shaped the horses of Iceland.
Laiz’s photographs are testament to her passion for the Icelandic horse and wildlife photography. She shares this collection to reveal the beauty and importance of the remote corners of our planet and the unique animals that call it home.
Everythingflows is a book of photographs by Laura Veschi in which the image forms the narrative and emotional core of the work.
Guided by the author’s black-and-white photographs, we explore the world of marble in Carrara, beginning in the mountains – the Apuan Alps – which, for Fosco Maraini – orientalist, writer, mountaineer, and anthropologist – evoke ‘the creation of the world’.
In these places, in these mountains, if you say marble, you immediately think of water: marble was in fact formed from water millions of years ago, from deposits of shells and coral; it is water that smooths and shapes it, and water remains the key element in the working of this stone.
Water, a symbol of perpetual movement, runs through Laura Veschi’s photographs as a subtle, underlying presence, accompanying the creative process and the transformation of matter. This reference to the element is an integral part of Veschi’s poetics. For the Carrara-based photographer, the ‘sound’ of water becomes the very voice of photography, an echo that follows the processes of creation and transformation of marble.
Structured like a symphony in four movements, the book guides the reader along a path that moves from the mountain to the studio, from the raw block to the finished form, restoring the sacred, physical, and temporal dimension of marble. Along this journey, Laura introduces us to the sculptor Filippo Tincolini, following the continuous flow of his thought and gesture from the original idea to the completed sculpture.
Laura, a deep connoisseur of the world of marble, captures the tension between what has settled over time and what is still being shaped, between the memory of the stone and the creative impulse that transforms it. Her images do not fix marble in a static idea, but reveal it in its flow, as though sculpture itself were part of an uninterrupted process in which the past is never entirely past and the future is already in the making.
Art, like the river of Heraclitus, passes and at the same time remains; it changes form but does not lose its essence. And so, in marble, in its working, and in the photography that tells its story – everything flows.
Text in English, French and Italian.
“…packed with superb colour photographs… This book is a wonderful companion to cathedral-crawling, not least in helping the crawlers work out what is, and what isn’t, worth seeing” – Simon Heffer, Telegraph“
A beautifully illustrated guide” — Premier Christianity
“[The] thrilling tale of the medium’s continuity… is set forth by Janet Gough, the erstwhile director of Cathedrals and Church buildings at the C of E, in her latest book, Divine Light” — World of Interiors
“I would recommend that you visit some of these cathedrals, book in hand.” — The Methodist Recorder
“What a gem of a book it is, and its size makes it one to carry around as you visit England’s cathedrals.” — Chronicle
The stained-glass windows of England’s cathedrals illuminate interior spaces, communicate religious and other messages, and – perhaps – offer us a glimpse of heaven. This book tells the remarkable story of these much-loved works of art.
Divine Light features glass from every Church of England cathedral. It spans 900 years, beginning with the windows installed at Canterbury Cathedral following the murder of Thomas Becket in 1170 and representing every subsequent century in the history of English stained glass. Divine Light encompasses the Middle Ages, the Reformation, the hugely productive ‘long 19th century’, the Pre-Raphaelites, the Arts and Crafts movement, the creative commissions of the 20th century, and the innovative glass being commissioned by cathedrals today.
The book establishes the connections between the artistic beauty of stained glass, its effectiveness as a narrative medium, and the various technical developments that have shaped the work of practitioners over the centuries. The refraction of light through colored glass emerges as an early form of mass communications that retains its power to move and inspire today.
Gaetano Pesce traces the visionary collaboration between the Italian designer and American entrepreneur Jay Chiat, founder of the advertising agency ChiatDay. Through 500 images, rare archives, and previously unpublished interviews, this book explores the creation of ChiatDay’s New York offices—true laboratories of the virtual office concept. Conceived in the 1990s, this groundbreaking project merges art, architecture, and technology, redefining the very notion of workspace.
From Venice to New York, the book situates this adventure within the career of a leading figure of radical design, for whom humanity and diversity remain central to every form of creation. Gaetano Pesce offers a richly documented and visually striking journey into the world of a total artist whose influence continues to shape the way we think about work, space, and creativity today.
Text in English and French.
“May you all live to be 100 years old, and may the last voice you hear be mine.” Frank Sinatra “His camera was a constant companion from his early teens. My daughter, his granddaughter, unearthed these gems and they are seen here for the first time.” Nancy Sinatra 2015 marks 100 years since the birth of Frank Sinatra. The year will be full of events to commemorate the life and music of one of the Twentieth Century’s biggest stars including exhibitions, concerts and variety of album releases. A very special event will be the publication of SINATRA, a luxurious book curated by Frank Sinatra’s granddaughter, Amanda Erlinger. Amanda has compiled a wealth of rare and unseen images from the family archives for inclusion in the book along with an incredible array of stars to contribute words and imagery. Undoubtedly, SINATRA forms a wonderful, personal memory of Frank Sinatra. This spectacular 400-page book – which comes in luxury clam-shell case – is signed by Nancy Sinatra, Frank Sinatra Jnr., and Tina Sinatra and includes a rare and unpublished signed print of a photograph of Frank Sinatra taken by Nancy Sinatra Snr (see image below, middle of the row). With contributions from an incredible all-star cast including – Nancy Sinatra, Martin Scorsese, George Clooney, Billy Joel, Neil Sedaka, Quincy Jones, Paul McCartney, Tony Bennett, and Elvis Costello and featuring the work of photographers – Herbert Gehr, Milton H. Greene, Bob Willoughby, Dezo Hoffmann, Ken Veeder, Ted Allan, John Dominis, Ed Thrasher, John Bryson, and Terry O’Neill. SINATRA includes photos from the Capitol Records and Warner Bros. Records archives, unpublished family photos of the Sinatra family and, most excitingly, many photos taken by Frank Sinatra himself, including several self-portraits. This edition is limited to 1000 copies and published in association with Iconic Images and Frank Sinatra Enterprises. “It is fitting that the voice that defined a century should have a centenary. Francis Albert Sinatra, my father, was born December 12, 1915, in Hoboken New Jersey. He came from humble beginnings and set off from there to live a life that few can imagine. He is the embodiment of the American Dream.” Nancy Sinatra “Just the mention of his name. You can say it like an incantation, and a whole world is right there before you. Sinatra…” Martin Scorsese “He was the epitome of what singing is all about. Beautiful sounds, smooth as silk, effortless, impeccable phrasing, stylish, intelligent, and full of heart.” Barbra Streisand
A Little Bit of Beijing is an architectural graphic novel focused on contemporary Beijing and contains three volumes: Sanlitun, 798 Art District and Nanluoguxiang. It can be best described as a record of a moment in time in the lives of the three areas. The life of each area is documented through the use of architectural-style drawings featuring cut away rooftops, comic book stylized drawings that explore the details inside the buildings, and stories showcasing how people live, work, and visit these spaces. It was awarded the title of ‘the most beautiful book of China’. Also available: A Little Bit of Beijing: Nanluoguxiang ISBN 9787560873398 A Little Bit of Beijing: Sanlitun ISBN 9787560873404
A Little Bit of Beijing is an architectural graphic novel focused on contemporary Beijing and contains three volumes: Sanlitun, 798 Art District and Nanluoguxiang. It can be best described as a record of a moment in time in the lives of the three areas. The life of each area is documented through the use of architectural-style drawings featuring cut away rooftops, comic book stylized drawings that explore the details inside the buildings, and stories showcasing how people live, work, and visit these spaces. It was awarded the title of ‘the most beautiful book of China’. Also available: A Little Bit of Beijing: Sanlitun ISBN 9787560873404 A Little Bit of Beijing: 798 ISBN 9787560873411
A Little Bit of Beijing is an architectural graphic novel focused on contemporary Beijing and contains three volumes: Sanlitun, 798 Art District and Nanluoguxiang. It can be best described as a record of a moment in time in the lives of the three areas. The life of each area is documented through the use of architectural-style drawings featuring cut away rooftops, comic book stylized drawings that explore the details inside the buildings, and stories showcasing how people live, work, and visit these spaces. It was awarded the title of ‘the most beautiful book of China’. Also available: A Little Bit of Beijing: Nanluoguxiang ISBN 9787560873398 A Little Bit of Beijing: 798 ISBN 9787560873411
A unique insight into the ways in which one of today’s leading artists is inspired by great works of the past. In 16 emphatically modern new paintings, renowned artist, Alison Watt, responds to the remarkable delicacy of the female portraits by eighteenth-century Scottish portraitist, Allan Ramsay. Watt’s new works are particularly inspired by Ramsay’s much-loved portrait of his wife, along with less familiar portraits and drawings. Watt shines a light on enigmatic details in Ramsay’s work and has created paintings which hover between the genres of still life and portraiture. In conversation with curator Julie Lawson, Watt discusses how painters look at paintings, explains why Ramsay inspired her, and provides unique insight into her own creative process. Andrew O’Hagan responds to Watt’s paintings with a new work of short fiction and art historian Tom Normand’s commentary explores further layers of depth to our understanding of both artists.
Changes of materials and concepts used in modern furniture design are closely related to ancient Chinese furniture design. This book expounds the content that has to do with “Chinoiserie” in the history of furniture. “Chinoiserie” here refers to the form, function and design principle of traditional Chinese furniture. By sorting out the part of modern furniture design related to Chinoiserie, it is concluded that the Chinese furniture system is one of the two major systems in the development of the global furniture system, and the emergence and maturity of the Chinese furniture system was almost independent, and completely dominated by social functionalism.
This book systematically discusses the decorative feature, beauty in form and development of traditional Chinese furniture, and elaborates on the modern design theory contained in traditional Chinese furniture, its influence on Western design and the development of furniture in the world.
An elegant photographic book highlights BFF’s new headquarters. Viale Scarampo, in Milan, saw the inauguration in 2025 of the BFF Banking Group’s new headquarters, a building whose transparent airiness and environmental and social sustainability ensure it provides an entirely original contribution to the city’s skyline. Designed by OBR (Open Building Research), the structure places the accent on the brightness of its interior and does not seek to compete in height with the skyscrapers of the nearby City Life district. The book is organized in a series of alternating photographs and text, drawing attention not only to the architectural features and the building’s functional characteristics, but also to the aim of creating a working environment that is intimately linked to its surroundings, in contrast to the traditional view of corporate architecture.
Casa BFF is not only the headquarters of a B2B bank, it is also a building that embraces the neighborhood and the city as a whole, starting with the museum it houses, which is accessible to all and contains the BFF Collection of post-war Italian art. Here the visitor will find works by Valerio Adami, Franco Angeli, Enrico Baj, Alberto Burri, Lucio Del Pezzo, Lucio Fontana, Gianfranco Pardi, Mario Schifano, Arnaldo Pomodoro, Giò Pomodoro and Emilio Tadini. The Bank inaugurated the museum with an exhibition dedicated to Enrico Baj’s series of 40 etchings inspired by John Milton’s Paradise Lost. The book does full justice to the exhibition spaces, as well as to the works that hang on the building’s walls.
Text in English and Italian.
This beautiful publication presents a collection of luxurious villas designed by Geoff Chick & Associates in the tradition of timber-framed vernacular style of Florida’s nineteenth- and twentieth-century architecture. From minimalist retreats poised on the edge of the surf to sprawling family homes nestled among pine forests, these residences are a poetic reinterpretation of the Gulf Coast’s vernacular through a contemporary architectural lens.
Presented as a large-format hardback book, Coastal Villas: Luxury Living on the Gulf Coast is a celebration of architecture tailored to the Gulf Coast’s complex interplay of delicate ecosystems, relentless sun, and occasional hurricanes. Large windows invite coastal breezes and abundant natural light, while shaded courtyards and covered terraces create comfortable outdoor living areas. Porches, tall ceilings, bracketed overhangs, and raised pier footings draw inspiration from vernacular architecture, and timeless interiors fuse artistry and function.
Exploring the harmony of form, function, and nature on the Gulf Coast, this aspirational publication will inspire a deep appreciation for architecture that celebrates the spirit of a place.
Simon Schama explores our enduring fascination with birds in a visually stunning art book
‘No other creatures have fixed themselves so obsessively and ubiquitously in our restless, earth-stuck imagination as birds… the fixation painted, imprinted, sculpted, filmed in our art.’ – Simon Schama
From Icarus to Peter Pan, who hasn’t dreamt of flying? Birds are the embodiment of our desires, fears and fantasies. In this publication internationally renowned (art) historian Simon Schama and Mauritshuis director Martine Gosselink explore the fascinating relationship between humans and birds through art, literature and cultural history.
Carel Fabritius’s world-famous Goldfinch, Picasso’s Dove, Brancusi’s Bird in Space, an Egyptian falcon mummy, a feather dress by Iris van Herpen: this book is a visual and literary journey through centuries of bird imagery. The icing on the cake is a wonderful anthology of bird stories from, among other works, The Epic of Gilgameshand One Thousand and One Nights, as well as bird poems by such writers as Rabindranath Tagore, Ted Hughes, Bob Marley and Rūmī.
With contributions by Simon Schama, Martine Gosselink, Laura Cumming, Stefan Hertmans, Philip Hoare, Eva Meijer and Adrienne Quarles van Ufford.
This book is published on the occasion of the exhibition BIRDS – Curated by The Goldfinch & Simon Schamain Mauritshuis, The Hague from 12 February to 7 June 2026.