This is the first study of a fascinating, international phenomenon in the art of the past century. Naked portraiture is an original hybrid of the traditional genres of the nude and portrait, and has been created by an astonishing range of major artists, in many different media and in a variety of major artistic centres. Martin Hammer’s ground-breaking book compares work by painters such as Egon Schiele, Paula Modersohn-Becker, Pierre Bonnard, Stanley Spencer, Lucian Freud, Tracey Emin and Jenny Saville. The analysis encompasses a rich tradition of naked portraiture using photographic media, produced by figures such as Alfred Stieglitz, Richard Avedon, Diane Arbus, Boris Mikhailov, Nan Goldin, Gary Schneider and Melanie Manchot. The subjects are men and woman, old and young, black and white, healthy and disabled. They might be lovers, close relatives or friends, with their nakedness suggesting the intimacy and tenderness existing between artist and subject. Conversely, the artist might not know them beyond the circumstance of making the pictures. Many of the images represent the artists themselves, with nudity carrying connotations of self-exploration, vulnerability, playfulness or fantasy. Martin Hammer’s innovative study seeks to explain naked portraiture as a symptom of wider currents in modern culture, a visual parallel to various other manifestations of an impulse to reveal what is hidden, profound, or authentic, beneath the surface facade. The book also opens up for consideration the wider issue of how and why the genre of portraiture has been radically extended and reinvented, in so many different ways, within the art of the last hundred years.

Aerial photography is prohibited in India. It can only be done with permission from various government agencies. It is for this reason that there are hardly any substantial books on India from the air. For the first time, Nicolas Chorier achieves this feat by using the fascinating technique of kite photography (taking aerial pictures by using a kite to lift the camera).

This book showcases the finest work of the French photographer, who has been shooting in India for many years. Seen here are unique and spectacular views of the wonders of India; jewels such as Amber Fort, Mehrangarh Fort, Nagaur Fort, Pushkar, Chittorgarh, Taj Mahal, Hampi, Mamallapuram and the beaches and backwaters of Kerala. Accompanying the pictures is the photographer’s anecdotal take on his India odyssey. For anyone who loves India and its rich heritage, this lavish book is a sumptuous treat for the eyes.

In a world where technology can answer more and more of our needs, people are very conscious about pursuing strategies for happier and healthier lives. This book connects people’s expectations of products, services, and experiences with their enthusiasm to live better lives and be the best version of themselves possible. This book challenges companies and brands to think about how to meet the needs of clients and respond to this trend in self-actualisation and self-development.

Supported by a wealth of photographs of archaeological objects, this book delves into a fascinating world of ancestral spirits, revealed by the surprising richness and variety of these pre-Columbian pieces fashioned out of various materials. These works, on exhibition in the Museo Casa del Alabado, in Quito (Ecuador), outline the pre-Columbian view of the world centred on a flow of energy aimed at preserving life. These pieces evoke this primordial energy emerging from mother earth, the source of the good deeds performed by spirits and the ancestral guardian of the permanent renewal of the world of daily life, where spirits constantly draw on the balance of the forces ensuring their survival. Pre-Columbian art has the extraordinary capacity to express the power of reciprocal opposites which together provide a meaning to the existence of animate and inanimate beings.

Hard materials, such as stones and shells, served to embody powerful spirits, such as carts, macaws, or primordial ancestors. Ceramics were suitable for the depiction of ordinary plants and animals. The extraordinary growth of metalworking skills led to the creation of ornamental pieces designed for the elite (chest decorations, nose jewellery, earrings, and crowns) whose purpose was to reflect the power of the sun.

Each picture in the book is accompanied by notes explaining the function the article would have served, while acknowledging that these pieces have lost none of their expressiveness in the modern world.

Text in English and Spanish.

“If you really want to get under the skin of a city, the 500 Hidden Secrets series, which covers a number of cities from Havana to Ghent, all written by people who know the cities inside out, is ideal. It’s an innovative and refreshing take on the traditional travel guide.”- The Independent
The 500 Hidden Secrets of Brussels is a guide to the Brussels that no one knows. It takes you to undiscovered art museums, forgotten squares and secret shops. The book doesn’t mention everything there is to see. There are already more than enough guides that cover the familiar tourist places. This book goes one step further and lists the places the author would recommend to friends if they asked him where to go in Brussels. Here you will find the 5 best places to eat frites, the 5 small museums that no one should miss and the 5 best record shops in town. The aim is to take the reader to the unexpected places that give the city its charm, like the restaurant on the top floor of the national library, or the metro station that is decorated with 140 characters from Tintin albums, or the art cinema that seats just 20 people. You do not have to do everything listed in the book, but you are urged at the very least to drink a Gueuze beer in one of the 5 best Brussels bars, eat at one of the 5 best fish restaurants, and visit one of the 5 best independent cinemas. If you do, you will begin to discover a city that no one else knows.
The 500 Hidden Secrets of Brussels offers a practical guide to Brussels’ finest places, and Derek Blyth covers all bases to ensure no visitor to the city is ever anything short of captivated. Packed with accessible, easy-to-read information summarized in handy lists, maps, itineraries, sections on food & drink, accommodation, green spaces, museums, galleries and shops; this guide is an essential resource for the inquisitive traveler.

After 150 Bars, 150 Restaurants, 150 Hotels, 150 Houses, 150 Gardens and 150 Golf Courses, there is now 150 Vineyards You Need to Visit Before You Die. For wine lovers, both professionals and hobbyists, vineyards are must-see places. They are found in the most scenic regions in the world where you can wander for hours, or unexpectedly, right in the middle of the city. This beautifully illustrated book, the latest in the 150.. series, presents a carefully curated selection of the world’s most exceptional vineyards, from Japan to Argentina and South Africa to France. In this guide you’ll discover tips on how to visit the vineyards, along with interesting stories about each place, and – of course – where to taste wine. The perfect gift for the wine aficionado who dreams of traveling the world.

Alessandra Bigi Iotti and Giulio Zavatta are noted art historians, authors, and professors who have organized exhibitions, events, and conferences in Italy and abroad. In this book, they take the reader on a journey through art galleries, museums, and places of worship, looking for celebrated as well as forgotten masterpieces of Mannerism – the most controversial style of the Renaissance period. Mannerism emerged in the later years of the High Italian Renaissance and continued into the early 17th century. Noted artists who worked in this style include Pontormo, Rosso Fiorentino, Parmigianino, and Giulio Romano. This book offers insight into this movement in the context of its time and brings to light forgotten works that represent an important part of Italian art history.

Text in English and Italian.

For the enthusiastic reader and book lover, browsing through a bookshop is an irreplaceable experience. American author Elizabeth Stamp selected the 150 most unique bookstores in the world that are worth making a detour to visit. From Australia to France, and Japan to the United States, the bookstores here range from establishments that have been around for decades, to newly opened shops. Each shop has been selected for an outstanding feature, either an interesting backstory, a unique collection, or a fabulous setting. This handsomely bound book, the latest in the 150 series, has inspiring photographs and a wealth of information on each location.

Kilims from Mazandaran are true masterpieces of woven minimalism. From stripes to fields of pure and deep color, these textiles represent a singular kind of artistic abstraction.

The women who authored these pieces made them for their own use. In wool and silk, they created works of textile art using the basic building blocks of all hand weaving: warp and weft. The grid thus created is at the same time rigid and flexible; it lends itself to geometric pattern, but also allows for feathery ikat-like effects and multidimensional color expression.

This book is a sumptuous visual celebration of a largely unknown modern art form. Expert writers add context to the pieces by contemplating subjects such as 20th-century minimalism, materiality and the nature of color.   

Laura Dowling is an expert floral designer artist who combines French-inspired designs with the wildness of nature to create romantic floral arrangements. In her book, she shares her process for creating a beautiful Christmas at home, drawing inspiration from Paris, her experience as White House floral designer, and nature. She provides practical tips on how to incorporate holiday decor in phases using 10 favorite elements and showcasing 10 different design schemes, including a vintage Parisian theme and an Italian-style motif. Whether you want to add subtle touches or go all out for the holidays, Laura’s book offers inspiration tips and tricks, and step-by-step instructions for making your home festive and beautiful. 

“Opening it and turning the pages is an invitation to dream, to wonder, and to appreciate the very large emotional size of the natural landscapes in the United States.” — Frames
“The 230 beautifully rendered black & white images in the book provide a compelling tour of America’s wild places and national parks, from Yosemite and Yellowstone to Death Valley and Utah’s Canyonlands to the Hudson Valley in New York and beyond.” — Black & White Photography

“From towering redwoods in California to the remote canyons of Utah, his work shows us not just what these places look like, but what they feel like to those who dare to go.” — About Photography

“Ortner’s use of black-and-white film and large-format cameras for Visions of Paradise unveils the true essence of the natural world. By peeling away color, he forces us to immerse ourselves more deeply and see anew America’s breathtaking sites through the purified language of light and shadow, form and texture, shape and pattern…” — VIE Magazine

“… a photographic masterpiece celebrating the extraordinary majesty and rich legacy of America’s wild places, as seen through the eyes of one of the country’s foremost wilderness photographers, Jon Ortner, and conveyed through the transcendent medium of black-and-white film.” — Dodho Magazine

Visions of Paradise: American Wilderness is a singular, timeless publication—a photographic tour de force celebrating the extraordinary majesty and rich legacy of America’s wild places, as seen through the eyes of one of the country’s foremost wilderness photographers, Jon Ortner, and conveyed through the transcendent medium of black-and-white film. Ortner has always been fascinated with the natural world, particularly as an avid hiker in the American wilderness. This luxurious book collects in a large format his inspiring landscape images, forming a passionate tribute to the American wilderness. In this sensational portfolio of 200 black-and-white images, Ortner has rediscovered and reinterpreted the compelling beauty of many of his most cherished wilderness locations with remarkable portrayals of their sublime, dramatic, tranquil, and transcendent aspects. Join Ortner as he guides us through his visions of paradise.

Sharing this story was not something that Christopher Capozziello ever set out to do, but, over the years, one picture has led to another and a story has emerged. Capozziello says, “The time I have spent with my brother, looking through my camera, has forced me to ask questions about suffering and faith and why anyone is born with disability. Nick has cerebral palsy. Taking pictures has been a way for me to deal with the reality of having a twin brother who struggles through life in ways that I do not.” Capozziello’s photographs take us on a journey through his worries and inquiries, ending his debut book with a different sort of question: what comes next? Part two of the book is a journey he and his brother take across the United States. The work has been shown throughout the United States and has won 33 national and international awards. “The collection, titled The Distance Between Us, is both a brother’s touching tribute and Capozziello’s attempt to come to terms with the reality his brother lives and one from which he happened to be spared”. The Mail

The Art of Endurance is a coffee table book about the 2024 season of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), which is one of the most exciting competitions in motorsport. This book is based on the very rich production of images that will be developed and embellished over the eight races that are held around the globe on internationally renowned circuits, including the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. The main goal is to capture the “spirit” that characterizes these endurance races. This beautiful publication will be a perfect promotional tool for the championship, whose considerable drawing power is due to the number of competitors and manufacturers who are taking part.

This monograph edited by Ilaria Bernardi is the first comprehensive examination of the oeuvre of the Italian artist Loris Cecchini, from his debut in the mid-1990s to the present.

The publication coincides with the 30th anniversary of the artist’s first inclusion in an exhibition: in three group shows in 1995. The book reviews Cecchini’s solo and group exhibitions, providing information on awards, residencies and lectures, as well as extensive commentary on his most distinctive works.

Alternating between photography, sculpture, drawing, digital processing and environmental installations, Cecchini’s aim is to shape real space by means of innovative materials, focusing on how matter holds together and the aesthetic, architectural, organic, and structural processes associated with it. He has a particular interest in industrial materials such as rubber, resin and steel. His work explores the sense of the real, in a perspective suspended between the natural and the man-made that challenges the viewer’s perception.

This book reconstructs the trajectory of Cecchini’s personal and creative life by interweaving biographical information, historical background and an ample selection of works, thus providing a unique contribution to the literature devoted to the artist.

Text in English and French

Molluscs are extraordinary builders; indeed, their architectural skills are almost unparalleled in the animal world. Who among us has failed to marvel at the wonderful structure of the smallest shell picked up on the beach? Some enthusiasts collect them throughout their lives – attracted by their beauty if they are aesthetes, or sought out for scientific purposes, as in the case of Jacques Senders. In this book, Paul Starosta’s spectacular photographs take the reader on a journey through this astounding collection, first started 50 years ago.

These shells, marvels of nature as they are, naturally suggest exotic or futuristic architecture, ancient or Art Nouveau vases, or even precious stones or volcanic rocks, and reaffirm the importance of nature as a source of inspiration for artists and architects. By celebrating the extraordinary variety and architectural refinement of the shells in Jacques and Rita Senders’s collection, the book reveals a world where nature far surpasses human imagination and invention.

At the end of the volume, miniature photographs are accompanied by scientific information on shells, their life, characteristics and different families.

Desperately Young introduces the masterpieces left behind by some of the greatest rising stars in fine art – all of whom died before their thirtieth birthday.

Precocious talent seeps from each artist’s work, along with a sense of unfulfilled potential. Informative biographies detail their legacies, while their tragic deaths lead us to wonder what heights they might’ve reached, had their lives not been cut short. Richly illustrated, Desperately Young presents prime examples of each artist’s work, demonstrating how our cultural heritage is just a little narrower for their loss.

From Europe to America to Japan and the Indian Subcontinent, the mid-14-hundreds to the late 20th century, this book hails the acknowledged greats and introduces those who died before they could leave an indelible mark on history. A compendium of 109 artists who fell prey to sickness, warfare, heartbreak or bad luck, Desperately Young is the only book to provide an in-depth study of artists who died young.

Contents: With works from Tommaso Masaccio, Frédéric Bazille, Thomas Girtin, Egon Schiele, Henri Regnault, Ernst Klimt, Jeanne Hébuterne, Kaita Murayama, Hermann Stenner, Maurycy Gottlieb, Fyodor Vasilyev, Marie Bashkirtseff, Richard Parkes Bonington, Luisa Anguissola, Walter Deverell, August Macke, Pauline Boty and Jean-Michel Basquiat – among many others.

Discover the fascinating world of taxidermy in Packshots, the second book by Darwin, Sinke & Van Tongeren. This breathtaking work introduces you to animals like never before, captured in masterful compositions that blur the line between nature and art, between life and death. The stunning images, showcasing the animals in all their beauty and strength, are complemented by exclusive interviews and in-depth insights into the authors’ craft. Packshots is a work of art in itself, bringing the beauty of the wild to life in a truly unique way.

A new, thoroughly revised and expanded edition of the beloved Scotland guide by local Lauren MacCallum. Because she is so passionate about exploring new places, Lauren always has a list of new secrets ready to share. The new entries in this book include her favorite and recently discovered spots in Orkney Islands and the far north of the Highlands, like the coolest places along the North Coast 500. She also added, for example, the best activities in every season in her home area of Cairngorms.

This book isn’t your typical Scottish travel guide; instead, it aims to encourage you to define your own sense of adventure, to explore beyond the usual hot spots and get to know the real Scotland. It will help you to see beyond the tartan trinkets, Irn-Bru and haggis, and to experience the authentic life in Scotland, so you’ll understand what’s so unique about this small stretch of land and its inhabitants. The book covers an eclectic range of over 60 themes such as: unusual art spaces; gin and whisky distilleries worth a visit; amazing coastal walks; dramatic lochs and bookshops with character.

“A love letter to Italy expressed through fashion, craft, tradition, festivities, camaraderie, and sense of la dolce vita.” — Forbes

“… lovers of fashion will discover a world full of creative artistry and talented workmanship.” —The Hollywood Times

“This isn’t just any book. It’s an invitation, perhaps the only one, to experience the magic of Dolce&Gabbana up close.” — NL Magazine

Dolce&Gabbana’s Alta Moda shows are the epicenter of Italian fashion. The luxury lifestyle brand began its annual grand flourishes in 2012 and has since made a custom of staging the last word in Italian elegance with shows unlike any other, each lasting an entire weekend at an exclusive, invitation-only location.

Behind the scenes of these unique events, the preparations are meticulous, with designers, models, crew members, directors and makeup artists, all adding their finishing touches before the first silhouette is cast out on the runway. Matt Lever is one of only a handful of photographers ever invited to the shows. Covering almost every show since their inception, his images of the backstage commotion take us on a visual journey through Dolce&Gabbana’s intimate inner workings.

Lavishly illustrated, La Dolce Vita is a sublime coffee-table volume, perfect for fans and followers of high fashion and a compelling work of art for anyone with in an interest in the sculpting of the most lauded pageants in the fashion calendar.

“This carefully conceived book is an important addition to the existing literature on May Morris…”— DAS

“Even if you are unlikely to take up embroidery, this is a most enjoyable book…” — PRS

May Morris (1862–1938) is recognised today as a pioneer of the Arts and Crafts movement, a leading exponent of decorative needlework and a campaigner for women artists. Despite being one of the foremost practitioners of her generation, it was design that May described as ‘the very soul and essence of beautiful embroidery’. One of the largest collections of May’s designs, from roughly sketched ideas to finished patterns, is held by the Ashmolean Museum. This book showcases a selection of 25 of these designs, which are published here for the first time, positioning May’s output within the artistic developments of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as well as equipping embroiderers with the tools to create their own projects based on the work of this remarkable needlewoman. 

“… Use it for inspiration before ~booking~ your next trip.”— Buzzfeed

Discover the most enchanting libraries around the world in 150 Libraries You Need to Visit Before You Die. This book will take you on a fascinating journey through 150 unique libraries across all continents. Whether you are an avid reader or architecture lover, this richly illustrated book serves as an inspiring travel guide and is the perfect reference for those in search of quiet yet endlessly interesting spaces. From opulent Baroque monasteries to sleek contemporary cultural hubs, each library has its own story – and an engrossing selection of books and media to browse through, of course.

“Whether you’re a bonafide Birkin collector or simply an admirer from afar, this book about Hermès deserves a spot on your wishlist.” — Who What Wear

“… the volume is a masterclass in tactile publishing, destined to sit on the shelves of aesthetes, collectors, and philosophers of form. It is, in every sense, an object worthy of Hermès itself.” — Private Air

Hermès Philosophy takes you on a stunning visual journey from the birth of a family enterprise to the ascension of the world’s most exclusive fashion and luxury brand.

A history not only of the fashion house, but also of the famous models, design techniques, and collections that it brought to the stage, this is a richly illustrated document of the principles that made Hermès what it is today. These pages include archival material, vintage ads, direct testimonials, original photographs, and unpublished interviews revealing the true identity of Hermès.

Discover the secrets of Hermès success, a long and faithful marriage between tradition and innovation, coupled with a highly effective communication strategy for products that allows them to speak for themselves. The perfect coffee-table book for fans of luxury goods and fashion.

Following the successful Rolex Philosophy (ISBN 9781788842396) in the Luxury Philosophy series.

“A fascinating look at the new levels of craft and technology that have emerged to cater to the world of luxury mobility.” — Wallpaper

“Curated by Bill Schwartz, it’s the kind of book that fuels big dreams and garage goals.” — Boss Hunting

“… Schwartz has curated a veritable smorgasbord of restomod goodness, moving effortlessly from coupes to trucks, American muscle to Italian speed, and powertrains that run the gamut from naturally aspirated to turbocharged to fully electrified.” — LA Car Online

“Bill Schwartz’s well-researched, 324-page hardback is a fascinating Who’s who of the industry, filled with 55 of the scene’s biggest movers and shakers – you’ll know your Revology from your Zero Labs in no time.” — Classic & Sports Car Magazine

“A collector’s edition that doesn’t just revisit classic cars, but transforms them into modern works of art.” — Knightsbridge Magazine

Cars Reimagined – Restomods: The New World Order of Handcrafted Cars celebrates the thrilling world of super-refined and highly personalized automobile restoration. 

Fusing classic design with cutting edge technology requires an almost impossible level of imagination, creativity and workmanship, resulting in models that frequently test the technical boundaries of vehicle design and engineering. Cars Reimagined – Restomods: The New World Order of Handcrafted Cars collects over 50 companies who are at the forefront of this world, among them Singer, Eagle, Tuthill & Alfaholics. Each of the featured firms has contributed directly to these pages, supplying specifications, quotes and the very highest quality professional photographs. The result is a spectacular volume that showcases the new world order of personalized car restoration.   

Cars Reimagined – Restomods: The New World Order of Handcrafted Cars is the first volume in the Cars Reimagined series, showcasing the cars and their creators who are pushing motor vehicles to the next level.