Maria Lai always had a special relationship with fairy tales. She considered them a metaphor for art and a way of communicating with the public in a simple, straightforward way. Starting in the 1980s, fairy tales became central to her art. Tenendo per mano il sole, Tenendo per mano l’ombra, Curiosape and Maria Pietra, are her most famous “sewn fairy tales” – books created by the artist using castoff textiles.

Maria Lai’s fairy tales are not merely children’s stories, but profound reflections on life and what it means to be a human being. They are often inspired by Sardinian myths and legends, to which the artist gives a personal twist, adding autobiographical details and philosophical reflections.
This edition of Tenendo per mano l’ombra is a printed version of Maria Lai’s 1987 tale. The original consists of fabric pages sewn together and collages of dyed textiles, on which the artist has embroidered geometric figures, yarn and other materials. The fairy tale tells the story of a human being (and his double) who must learn to accept shadows, the dark part of the world and of himself. The figure’s shadow, in Maria Lai’s fairy tale, is not a negative element to be rejected, but an integral part of his personality. To live an untroubled and complete life, one must learn to accept and live with it.

Elena Pontiggia’s concluding essay accompanies the reader in a fascinating page by page interpretation of the fable, and discusses Lai’s artistic and stylistic approach in the context of an extensive network of philosophical, literary and artistic references: from Kant and Manzoni to Klee and Malevič.

Text in English and Italian.

This edition contains 126 color plates (more than twice as many as the first edition), alongside 140 black-and-white illustrations. It invites the reader to appreciate the works of the greatest botanical illustrators both past and present.

Artemisia Gentileschi has been the subject of much attention in recent decades. Research dedicated to her has, however, often returned a stereotyped and reductive image of the artistic universe and personality of the painter. The professional figure of Gentileschi, who was able to move with great success in what we now call the art system, finally finds new dignity. Unpublished attributions from private collections are flanked by the painter’s masterpieces, reconstructing the framework of the international commissions that consecrated her as a protagonist of the European Baroque, in the most complete and up-to-date volume dedicated to the artist. The innovative charge of language and the exceptional nature of Artemisia’s iconographic choices reveal the documented interests and literary, scientific and musical frequentations that the painter skillfully cultivated in every city that recorded her passage.

Text in English and Italian.

Mixing Roman and medieval roots, Chichester sits at the heart of a storied landscape where South Down hills dotted with idyllic hamlets ripple back from a shoreline mixing wild dune-backed beaches with old-school seaside resorts. Reminders of smuggling and war add spice.

But a thrilling thread of modernity runs through this slice of West Sussex too. Chichester’s modernist Festival Theatre provided the foundation for London’s National Theatre, while masterpieces of contemporary architecture that draw admirers from around the world include Sea Lane House in East Preston and The White Tower in Bognor Regis.

Evocative ancient memorials abound. Chichester is blessed with the only English cathedral visible from the sea, while England’s largest castle rises above the ravishing – and cosmopolitan – riverside town of Arundel. Ancient yew trees mark the burial spots of Viking warriors in an idyllic Downland spot. And it’s a land vibrant with creative imprints: poets, painters, composers, from Blake and Keats to Joyce and Chagall.

This guidebook takes you exploring Chichester and its surroundings to find incomparable natural beauty, hidden secrets, astonishing history, art of all kinds, and much more. 

For the past five years, the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire has been organizing Quand fleurir est un art (The Art of Flower Arranging), a captivating event where renowned flower artists and designers from around the world unleash their creativity in the majestic rooms of the castle, creating stunning arrangements ranging from the most daring to the most classic. The Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire’s previous (and last private) owners, the Prince and Princess de Broglie, were avid plant enthusiasts. They took pride in their impressive collections of orchids and exotic green plants, which earned them numerous awards in horticultural competitions during the Belle Époque. Today, the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire is committed to carrying on this rich legacy, inviting talented floral artists to showcase their artistry and expertize, creating a harmonious fusion of art and nature in the pursuit of beauty. This book offers a nice overview of some of the best creations that were on view during the event. Discover some of the amazing designs made by renowned floral designers such as Makoto Azuma (J), Clarisse Béraud (F), Timo Bolte (D), Rudy Casati (I), Tomas De Bruyne (B), Sébastien Dossin (B), Frédéric Dupré (F), Max Hurtaud (B), Pascal Mutel (F), Julian Paris (F), Gilles Pothier, Charline Pritscaloff (F) and the École nationale des Fleuristes de Paris (F).

Text in English and French.

The name Johann Joachim Kaendler (1706–1775) is closely entwined in the 18th century with the golden age of the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory. His exceptional artistic talent, coupled with craftsmanship, enabled him to capture the daily life of the nobility in their palaces and residences in numerous figures and groups. In doing so, he did not limit himself to official events but reflected tastes and aspirations as well as current trends. In the publication Magnificence of Rococo impressive porcelain figurines from top-class European private collections are brought together for the first time: on over 300 pages, these magnificent, often unique objects provide insights into courtly life of the Baroque and Rococo periods.

Belgian interior architect and art historian Anne Derasse, renowned for her prestigious projects in Belgium and abroad, reveals the philosophy of her creations. Her companion, the photographer and artist Jörg Bräuer, captures the atmosphere emanating from these architectures through his superb images. The highly regarded wine château of Calon Ségur in the Médoc, the Delvaux flagship store in Brussels, the Ancienne Nonciature, her base, and the castle of Montmoreau, their lair in the South Charente, reveal her style combining history and contemporaneity, in a refinement and sophistication imbued with sobriety. The choice of works of art completes her artistic approach. “I seek to capture and preserve the soul of places, this intangible anchor point between human history and the passage of time. I wish to magnify the worlds of life and re-enchant everyday life to bring well-being, tranquility, and felicity to the people who entrust their projects to me.”

Text in English and French.

The Languedoc is a land of mountains, sea and Cathar castles in the south of France. For much of its history the region has also been seen as the home of rustic table wines with no international reputation. However, over the last 40 years the wines have improved enormously, with innovations in both vineyards and cellars, helped by the development of appellations and IGPs recognizing the individuality of its different areas. Now boasting more than 2,500 wine producers, the Languedoc has attracted interest from around the world, thanks to its affordable land and exciting creative possibilities.

The Languedoc is best known for its spicy reds, often made from one or more of the classic quintet of varieties, Carignan, Cinsaut, Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre and Syrah. However, it is also gaining a reputation for its whites, with the coastal appellation Picpoul de Pinet in particular seeing a rise in popularity, and for its rosés, producing twice as much as its fashionable neighbor Provence. The Languedoc is also home to the world’s oldest sparkling wine, Blanquette de Limoux, and to vins doux naturels in the form of delicious, sweet Muscats.

It is in the twenty-first century above all that the Languedoc has really found its place among the great wine regions. Here, Rosemary George MW profiles a selection of those producers who have made and continue to boost the region’s reputation. Some are newcomers, while others are inheritors of family businesses, many of whom have studied oenology or learned winemaking elsewhere. All are passionate about what they do, continuing to improve their wines with every vintage. 

The Languedoc is one of the world’s largest and most exciting wine regions, making Wines of the Languedoc essential reading for professionals and enthusiasts alike.

A short story by Strega-award author Tiziano Scarpa accompanies cutting-edge porcelain work. Once again, historical women artists fetch a premium under the auctioneer’s hammer for Simone Facchinetti. A Dolce & Gabbana show spotlights Sicilian handicrafts, as Pietro Mercogliano tells us. The untutored, intuitive Franco-Tuscan artist Élisabeth Chaplin painted glowing portraits of her home, her family, and herself, by Cristina Nuzzi. Antony Shugaar narrates the feats of the starchitect of her time, Julia Morgan, who shaped Hearst’s Castle. Sylvia Ferino-Pagden describes how the selfies of the 16th century were advertisements for the work of Sofonisba Anguissola. Luísa Sampaio narrates René Lalique’s work as a jeweler, before he turned to glass. Rafael Barajas Durán lays out the political theory underlining Surrealism in the work of Remedios Varo. And Giorgio Antei tells the tale of the statesmanship and horseflesh haggling behind the two wives – a Savoy and a Farnese – of Spain’s Philip V.

Edinburgh is rightly celebrated for its famous historical and cultural attractions. But for the discerning visitor it has much more to offer away from the well-worn tourist trail. This book takes you to hidden corners and secret sights in this city of contrasts, exploring fascinating locations unknown even to most residents, and revealing unexpected aspects of some familiar local landmarks. Marvel at a unique underground temple hewn out of the living rock; learn how a world-famous illusionist came to be buried here – with his dog; find out why the city council once commissioned an enormous electric blanket; look out for the ordinary Edinburgh post box with an explosive history. Discover the human stories behind a wide range of places, both exceptional and commonplace, bringing to life the greatly varied cityscape where people have been leaving their mark for at least 5,000 years.

In this increasingly globalized, modernized, interconnected world, what can we learn from the first temples and burial sites built by our ancestors? This handbook brings some of the muddier, forgotten aspects of our shared history to life, offering a compelling insight into the origins of British cultural identity and a reminder of our deep-rooted connection to the earth.

Mixing Roman and medieval roots, Chichester sits at the heart of a storied landscape where South Down hills dotted with idyllic hamlets ripple back from a shoreline mixing wild dune-backed beaches with old-school seaside resorts. Reminders of smuggling and war add spice.

But a thrilling thread of modernity runs through this slice of West Sussex too. Chichester’s modernist Festival Theatre provided the foundation for London’s National Theatre, while masterpieces of contemporary architecture that draw admirers from around the world include Sea Lane House in East Preston and The White Tower in Bognor Regis.

Evocative ancient memorials abound. Chichester is blessed with the only English cathedral visible from the sea, while England’s largest castle rises above the ravishing – and cosmopolitan – riverside town of Arundel. Ancient yew trees mark the burial spots of Viking warriors in an idyllic Downland spot. And it’s a land vibrant with creative imprints: poets, painters, composers, from Blake and Keats to Joyce and Chagall.

This guidebook takes you exploring through Chichester and its surroundings to find incomparable natural beauty, hidden secrets, astonishing history, art of all kinds, and much more. 

Birdsong brings together three video works by David Claerbout – The Woodcarver and the Forest, Birdcage and Backwards Growing Tree – each a meditation on time, perception and the poetics of the natural world. In an era dominated by speed and distraction, Claerbout reclaims the longue durée, offering a contemplative, detoxed form of filmmaking.

Accompanied by a poem by Stefan Hertmans, this volume explores the myths of digitization, the rhythms of nature, growth and degrowth. Birdsong is a visual journey through the imaging ideas that the artist has developed over the past decade.

This publication coincides with Claerbout’s exhibition At the window at Gaasbeek Castle.

Text in English, French and Dutch.

Following the major exhibition European Realities in Chemnitz, Museum More will present a focused selection of approximately 70 works from this international project, opening on 10 October 2025. The exhibition explores how artists across Europe responded to the turbulent interwar years through diverse Realist styles. Featuring renowned names like Otto Dix and Pablo Picasso alongside lesser-known artists from Central, Eastern, and Northern Europe, the show reflects themes such as the modern city, labor, gender roles, and rising political ideologies.

European Realities at Museum More sheds new light on a lesser-known chapter of European art history and highlights the shared yet varied responses to societal change during the 1920s and 1930s. The exhibition is accompanied by a richly illustrated English-language catalogue, offering insights into both Dutch and broader European perspectives on Realism.

This exhibition is a collaboration with Museum Gunzenhauser and Kunstsammlungen Chemnitz.

Text in English and Dutch.

Sleeping Beauties is more than just another predictable collection of attractive sleepyheads. With a selection of contemporary artworks explicitly inspired by the world of dream and sleep, the exposition Sleeping Beauties allows its visitors to take a peek into the dream world down the rabbit hole. In accordance with the philosophy of the Kasteel van Gaasbeek the works of acclaimed artists (Michael Borremans, Spencer Tunick, Bill Viola et al) as well as newcomers and outsiders is shown, and given the chance to interact with the romantic interiors of the castle. During the trip into the wonderland of sleep we meet daydreamers, blissful sleepers, mysterious phantoms and fearsome creatures of the night. Visitors are submerged in a hidden world, an illusory atmosphere, inspired by the blue hour. One steps into an intermediary world, floating between day and night, between snoozing and being wide awake. Text in English & Dutch.

Cabernet Sauvignon is the world’s most important black wine grape as both a varietal and a blend. The Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot and other varieties has become universal, but is now challenged by varietal wines from the New World. Going behind the scenes, this worldwide survey, liberally illustrated with maps and photographs, examines the changing nature of Cabernet Sauvignon and its blends. Should the wine be herbaceous or driven by black fruits? Should it be ready to drink on release or require aging? What is the true character of Cabernet Sauvignon? How do the top wines of Napa Valley differ from the First Growths of Bordeaux? Has Bordeaux lost its way in adopting a riper “international” style? How do its wines compare with Bordeaux blends from Coonawarra or Margaret River? Will global warming require the blend to be changed? Is Bordeaux still the essential reference point or has it been displaced by newer regions? Reviewing Cabernets from all over the world, Claret & Cabs includes profiles of leading producers with tasting notes from current and past vintages, and vintage assessments.

“Children are like crazy, drunken small people in your house” – Julie Bowen – Modern Family

Whoever welcomes children says goodbye to a tidy and perfectly-styled house. Babies and children grow and develop through play, and that means lots of toys. This can create chaos and sometimes less attractive corners in the home that are expertly hidden, moved, or simply ignored in most residential magazines. Lifestyle journalist and young mother Joni Vandewalle knows that a messy house, where children can play freely, is a happy house. Creating children’s rooms for optimal use is a challenging job, but one that is immensely rewarding for the whole family. In this book, she has selected 20 houses where clutter creates atmosphere, and where colorful play spaces and creative storage solutions prioritise activities where children can grow and play. This book is full of design inspiration for all parents and parents-to-be.

“Belgicum is brilliant. It’s an epitaph for a country that disappeared before Vanfleteren’s eyes, like a sand castle in the breaking waves.” – Eric Min in De Morgen

Belgicum is a photo project about Belgium. It is not an objective representation of a country but rather a subjective photographical document in black and white. It’s a journey of exploration into a small country in the heart of Europe, at the turn of the centuries.

More than fifteen years Vanfleteren has wandered through and hunted in the ‘Belgicum’ territories, guided by emotion and by the love for his homeland. He made a journey through a scarred land, in search of the irretrievable identity of a country with the melancholic soul of an old nation.

Over the past ten years, over 11,000 copies were sold of this international bestseller. Belgicum grew out to be a reference work in the Belgian history of photography. On the occasion of the tenth birthday of this cult book, it was reprinted.

With text by David Van Reybrouck.

Text in English, French and Dutch.

This exhibition, being held at the musée du Louvre in Paris, and its catalog follow those dedicated to Florentine sculpture in the early Renaissance, 1400-1460, that took place in 2013-14 (Le Printemps de la Renaissance). The period scrutinized is 1460-1520 but the geographical coordinates are widened to include Northern Italy (Venice, Milan, Pavia, Padua, Bologna) and Rome as the artistic landscape of Italy becomes more complex. Some of the great sculptors, in fact, travelled and their style and their ideas influenced pre-existing local tradition.

These new artistic languages share a common characteristic: the relationship to Greco-Roman Antiquity, especially in the representation of grace and passion: the expression of pathos and the theatrical quality of religious works, the symbolic richness of profane works and finally the development of a new and refined style which will find its highest expression in Roman classicism and in the work of Michelangelo.

The catalog includes the works of, among others, Donatello, Antonio Pollaiolo, Bertoldo di Giovanni, Giovanfrancesco Rustici, Francesco di Giorgio Martini, Guido Mazzoni, Bartolomeo Bellano, Cristoforo Solari, Tullio Lombardo, Andrea Riccio, and Bambaia, Sansovino, and Michelangelo.

Text in Italian.

This revised and updated guide is journalist Derek Blyth’s personal ode to the most beautiful and intriguing spots in what he calls “the world’s strangest country”. He shares hundreds of places to go, things to do and interesting facts, presented in original lists such as: art in unexpected places, haunting war cemeteries, roadside fries stands, unique shop interiors, and lovely secret gardens. You’ll discover bizarre but fascinating places like an abandoned car factory and a dreamy castle full of hidden messages, as well as amazing contemporary architecture and the most authentic cafes to drink a Belgian beer. Hidden Belgium is the perfect companion for those who wish to explore Belgium off the beaten track, in all its splendor and quirkiness. Even long-time residents are bound to discover many hidden gems thanks to this one-of-a-kind guide. 

Also available: Hidden Holland, Hidden Scotland, Hidden Brooklyn, Hidden Tenerife, Hidden Malta. Discover the series: the500hiddensecrets.com

The bridge has always stood as a transitional structure – not purely a work of engineering, nor simply a work of architecture. Its functional requirements are more stringent than those of the average building; it not only must stand up; it must stand up, support those who cross it, and effectively span the space over which it stands. As Samuel Johnson said, “the first excellence of a bridge is strength … for a bridge that cannot stand, however beautiful, will boast its beauty but a little while.” The Scottish architect Robert Adam (1728-92) understood these precepts well, continually building bridges that were not just structurally sound, but also aesthetically pleasing. Unlike his contemporaries, Adam did not view bridges as mere skeletons upon which to apply ornament. Rather, he sought to achieve architectural totality, incorporating his bridge designs into greater architectural programs, thereby producing aesthetically pleasing and contextually specific designs. From the Pulteney Bridge in Bath to the ruined arch and viaduct at Culzean Castle in Ayrshire, The Bridges of Robert Adam: A Fanciful and Picturesque Tour will take the reader across Britain, shedding new light on an understudied aspect of the great architect’s career.

Welcome to the home of Wallace and Gromit, and Blackbeard and Banksy. Bristol is where the world’s first solid chocolate bar was created (Ribena was also invented here) and you can still watch delicious chocolate creations made by modern day Willy Wonkas. The city has a hidden castle (you just need to know where to look) and secret vaults underneath the Clifton Suspension Bridge only rediscovered recently after being hidden for more than 100 years. Climb inside these vaults, or into the cockpit of the final Concorde to fly or ride your skateboard in what used to be a swimming pool. If water is your thing, you can surf guaranteed waves at an inland surfing lake or take a trip in a boat that used to fight fires. Science and art collide at We The Curious, which has the UK’s only 3D planetarium.

If you think you know Bristol, think again. Allow this book to be your guide to Bristol’s best bits for kids.

Fully revised and updated edition, now in full color and with two new chapters: Brunoy and Parc Saint Cloud.
The spectacular medieval castle where Henry V died, Napoleon’s private château, dancing in fifties guinguette cafés, a Victorian gunpowder factory – these are just some of the unexpected delights discovered by Annabel Simms just half an hour from Paris.
Following the format of her small classic, An Hour from Paris, and written with the same delight in the little-known treasures of the Île de France, the revised edition of Half an Hour from Paris now presents twelve new destinations easy to reach from central Paris, each with a carefully planned walk, ample meanderings through the cultural, historical and social milieu, comprehensive practical information and clear, detailed maps.