A fascinating look at John Singer Sargent’s formative years as a young painter in Paris, a city that helped forge his artistic identity and sparked his rise to the pinnacle of the nineteenth-century art world   In 1874, eighteen-year-old American artist John Singer Sargent went to Paris to become a painter. Ten years later, he would become an art-world sensation when he sparked controversy with his scandalous portrait Madame X at the 1884 Salon. Sargent and Paris focuses on this decisive early decade in the artist’s career, when he first achieved recognition for ambitious portraits and bold canvases that pushed the boundaries of convention. Eight incisive essays by the world’s foremost Sargent scholars explore his life in Paris—then the epicenter of the cultural world—and the cosmopolitan circle of artists, writers, and cultivated patrons that nurtured his career and helped forge his artistic identity. Authors highlight the painter’s connections to giants of the Parisian art scene as well as the influential patrons who were key to Sargent’s progression as an artist. Presented alongside lavish images of more than a hundred paintings and works on paper—brought together from public and private collections throughout the United States and Europe—this publication offers an intimate look at the roots of Sargent’s signature, breathtaking style and his indelible experiences as a young artist in the French capital.   Published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art/Distributed by Yale University Press  Exhibition Schedule:   The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (April 27–August 3, 2025)  Musée d’Orsay, Paris (September 22, 2025–January 11, 2026) Read more

NAMED A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK BY: Time, USA Today, People, AARP, Today.com, BookRiot, Bustle, LitHub, BookPage, Our Culture, and VultureA surprising and beautiful meditation on the color blue—and its fascinating role in Black history and culture—from National Book Award winner Imani PerryThroughout history, the concept of Blackness has been remarkably intertwined with another color: blue. In daily life, it is evoked in countless ways. Blue skies and blue water offer hope for that which lies beyond the current conditions. But blue is also the color of deep melancholy and heartache, echoing Louis Armstrong’s question, “What did I do to be so Black and blue?” In this book, celebrated author Imani Perry uses the world’s favorite color as a springboard for a riveting emotional, cultural, and spiritual journey—an examination of race and Blackness that transcends politics or ideology.Perry traces both blue and Blackness from their earliest roots to their many embodiments of contemporary culture, drawing deeply from her own life as well as art and history: The dyed indigo cloths of West Africa that were traded for human life in the 16th century. The mixture of awe and aversion in the old-fashioned characterization of dark-skinned people as “Blue Black.” The fundamentally American art form of blues music, sitting at the crossroads of pain and pleasure. The blue flowers Perry plants to honor a loved one gone too soon.Poignant, spellbinding, and utterly original, Black in Blues is a brilliant new work that could only have come from the mind of one of our greatest writers and thinkers. Attuned to the harrowing and the sublime aspects of the human experience, it is every bit as vivid, rich, and striking as blue itself. Read more

From former editor of New York magazine Adam Moss, a collection of illuminating conversations examining the very personal, rigorous, complex, and elusive work of making artWhat is the work of art? In this guided tour inside the artist’s head, Adam Moss traces the evolution of transcendent novels, paintings, jokes, movies, songs, and more. Weaving conversations with some of the most accomplished artists of our time together with the journal entries, napkin doodles, and sketches that were their tools, Moss breaks down the work—the tortuous paths and artistic decisions—that led to great art. From first glimmers to second thoughts, roads not taken, crises, breakthroughs, on to one triumphant finish after another.Featuring: Kara Walker, Tony Kushner, Roz Chast, Michael Cunningham, Moses Sumney, Sofia Coppola, Stephen Sondheim, Susan Meiselas, Louise Glück, Maria de Los Angeles, Nico Muhly, Thomas Bartlett, Twyla Tharp, John Derian, Barbara Kruger, David Mandel, Gregory Crewdson, Marie Howe, Gay Talese, Cheryl Pope, Samin Nosrat, Joanna Quinn & Les Mills, Wesley Morris, Amy Sillman, Andrew Jarecki, Rostam, Ira Glass, Simphiwe Ndzube, Dean Baquet & Tom Bodkin, Max Porter, Elizabeth Diller, Ian Adelman / Calvin Seibert, Tyler Hobbs, Marc Jacobs, Grady West (Dina Martina), Will Shortz, Sheila Heti, Gerald Lovell, Jody Williams & Rita Sodi, Taylor Mac & Machine Dazzle, David Simon, George Saunders, Suzan-Lori Parks Read more

Origami paper with stunning Japanese traditional prints and fun and simple folding instructions!Amazing Origami Kit is designed for origami paper folders of all ages and all skill levels—from novices up to more experienced folders. It provides everything you need to create exciting and original origami art. The gorgeous folding papers feature delicate patterns with gold detailing, recalling the one-of-a-kind traditional designs used in the Japanese kimono fabrics from a bygone era.This origami kit contains: A full-colored 64-page booklet Clear step-by-step instruction and diagrams 17 fun-to-do projects 144 high-quality origami folding sheets 2-sided, full-color folding paper 13 custom paper designs 6 3/4 X 6 3/4 size paper The sturdy box doubles as a display pedestal.One of the pleasing aspects of origami is its simplicity. The paper folder needs nothing more than something to fold—no glue, no tape, no string or wire—just a piece of paper! Though the materials are simple, origami exemplifies the ability of the human mind to solve problems and create a beautiful harmony. Origami is relaxing and peaceful, but it is also fun and exciting to discover new ways to fold paper. With Amazing Origami's simple instructions, origami beginners will be able to get started immediately. With the beautiful, Japanese origami paper, experienced paper folders can create unique origami art.Origami projects include: Luna Moth Tortoise Carp Leaf Peacock Butterfly Koi Chinese Pinwheel And many much… Read more

Why do we need art? What Art Does is an invitation to explore this vital question. It is a chance to understand how art is made by all of us. How it creates communities, opens our worlds, and can transform us.Curious and playful, richly illustrated, full of ideas and life, it is an inspiring call to imagine a different future. Read more

This exploration of Black dandy fashion and its representation in art and literature highlights the vibrant, complicated legacy of a recognizable yet constantly shifting style, from its origins in Enlightenment Europe to the contemporary art and fashion worlds  Superfine: Tailoring Black Style traces the complex and vibrant legacy of menswear across three centuries of Black culture—from today’s hip-hop aesthetic and popular street trends, through its use during the Harlem Renaissance and the civil rights movement as a symbol of creative and political agency, to its surprising origins as an imposed uniform for servants and enslaved people. Organized by key characteristics of dandyism that resonate across time, including presence, distinction, disguise, and respectability, this fresh interpretation of a centuries-old aesthetic draws on prominent Black voices in fashion, literature, and art—among them, Dandy Wellington, Amy Sherald, Iké Udé, and André 3000. Self-described dandies and high-fashion models feature in a stunning photo essay by artist Tyler Mitchell, who also contributes evocative new photography of garments by contemporary designers such as Virgil Abloh, Pharrell Williams, and Grace Wales Bonner. These works are shown alongside historical attire worn by Black luminaries including Frederick Douglass, Alexandre Dumas père, Muhammad Ali, and André Leon Talley. Scholar Monica L. Miller contextualizes these objects in her text and shows how the evolution of dandy style inspired new visions of Black masculinity that use the power of clothing and dress as a means of self-expression.   Published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art/Distributed by Yale University Press  Exhibition Schedule:  The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (May 10–October 26, 2025) Catalogue design by Pacific (Elizabeth Karp-Evans and Adam Turnbull) Read more

Immerse yourself in the wonder and dazzling display of 3,000 paintings in the permanent collection of the Louvre with this stunning slipcased edition of the New York Times bestselling book The Louvre: All the Paintings.    The Louvre is the most famous museum in the world. With 8.5 million visitors every year, the Louvre houses and displays many of the most celebrated and important paintings of all time. Every painting on exhibit in the permanent collection, a total of 3,022 works in all, is included in this groundbreaking book.   Divided and organized into the four main painting collections of the museum—the Italian School, the Northern School, the Spanish School, and the French School—the book includes works by well-known masters like Giotto, Fra Angelico, Ghirlandaio, Botticelli, Leonardo, Raphael, Titian, Veronese, Caravaggio, Van Eyck, Breughel, Memling, Holbein, Van Dyck, Rembrandt, Vermeer, David, Delacroix, La Tour, Fragonard, Gericault, Ingres, Poussin, El Greco, Goya, Velasquez and many more. Four hundred of the most important paintings including the Mona Lisa and Liberty Leading the People, is given a deeper dive with commentary by art historians Anja Grebe and Vincent Pomarede.    Learn more about each artist and painting, and tour the realms of sensational masterpieces of the Louvre without ever having to leave the comfort of your home.  Read more

The legend of Jean-Michel Basquiat is as strong as ever. Synonymous with 1980s New York, the artist first appeared in the late 1970s under the tag SAMO, spraying caustic comments and fragmented poems on the walls of the city. He appeared as part of a thriving underground scene of visual arts and graffiti, hip hop, post-punk, and DIY filmmaking, which met in a booming art world. As a painter with a strong personal voice, Basquiat soon broke into the established milieu, exhibiting in galleries around the world.Basquiat’s expressive style was based on raw figures and integrated words and phrases. His work is inspired by a pantheon of luminaries from jazz, boxing, and basketball, with references to arcane history and the politics of street life―so when asked about his subject matter, Basquiat answered “royalty, heroism and the streets.” In 1983 he started collaborating with the most famous of art stars, Andy Warhol, and in 1985 was on the cover of The New York Times Magazine. When Basquiat died at the age of 27, he had become one of the most successful artists of his time.First published in an XXL edition, this unprecedented insight into Basquiat’s art is now available in a compact, accessible volume in celebration of TASCHEN’s 40th anniversary. With pristine reproductions of his most seminal paintings, drawings, and notebook sketches, it offers vivid proximity to Basquiat’s intricate marks and scribbled words, further illuminated by an introduction to the artist from editor Hans Werner Holzwarth, as well as an essay on his themes and artistic development from curator and art historian Eleanor Nairne. Richly illustrated year-by-year chapter breaks follow the artist’s life and quote from his own statements and contemporary reviews to provide both personal background and historical context.About the seriesTASCHEN is 40! Since we started our work as cultural archaeologists in 1980, TASCHEN has become synonymous with accessible publishing, helping bookworms around the world curate their own library of art, anthropology, and aphrodisia at an unbeatable price. Today we celebrate 40 years of incredible books by staying true to our company credo. The 40 series presents new editions of some of the stars of our program―now more compact, friendly in price, and still realized with the same commitment to impeccable production. Read more

Bring these extraordinary coloring pages of black beauties to life.This Black Women coloring book offers a captivating exploration of black womanhood through 50 beautifully crafted coloring pages. Each page celebrates black women's grace, strength, and diversity with stunning illustrations depicting scenes from everyday life to extraordinary moments.Embrace your creativity, empower your spirit, and celebrate black beauty in a uniquely personal way. Whether for yourself or as a thoughtful gift, dive into this artistic journey and discover the joy of coloring.Why you will love this book:Relaxing coloring pages: Enjoy hours of meditative relaxation.Beautiful illustrations: We’ve included 50 professional quality designs for you to express your creativity and make masterpieces.High-quality and single-sided pages: The illustrations are printed on high-quality solid white paper and single-sided to prevent bleed-through. You can use colored pencils, gel pens, watercolors, brush pens, or any coloring implements you prefer.Large coloring book: This book is large, 8.5x11 inches, so you can be creative without getting bound in less space.It makes a beautiful gift: Do you know someone who loves coloring? Give this book as a lovely gift and make them smile.Ready to dive into the wonderful world of black beauties? Then scroll up and grab your copy now! Read more

“The relation between what we see and what we know is never settled” -- so opens John Berger’s revolutionary million-copy bestseller on how to look at artJohn Berger's Ways of Seeing is one of the most stimulating and the most influential books on art in any language. First published in 1972, it was based on the BBC television series about which the Sunday Times critic commented: "This is an eye-opener in more ways than one: by concentrating on how we look at paintings . . . he will almost certainly change the way you look at pictures." By now he has. Read more

An expansive look at portraiture, identity, and inequality as seen in Dorothea Lange’s iconic photographs   Dorothea Lange (1895–1965) aimed to make pictures that were, in her words, “important and useful.” Her decades-long investigation of how photography could articulate people’s core values and sense of self helped to expand our current understanding of portraiture and the meaning of documentary practice.   Lange’s sensitive portraits showing the common humanity of often marginalized people were pivotal to public understanding of vast social problems in the twentieth century. Compassion guided Lange’s early portraits of Indigenous people in Arizona and New Mexico from the 1920s and 1930s, as well as her depictions of striking workers, migrant farmers, rural African Americans, Japanese Americans in internment camps, and the people she met while traveling in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.   Drawing on new research, the authors look at Lange’s roots in studio portraiture and demonstrate how her influential and widely seen photographs addressed issues of identity as well as social, economic, and racial inequalities—topics that remain as relevant for our times as they were for hers. Published in association with the National Gallery of Art, WashingtonExhibition Schedule:  National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC (November 5, 2023–March 31, 2024)   Read more

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This paper pack contains 500 high-quality 6-inch origami sheets printed with bright and cheerful cherry blossom patterns.These colorful origami papers were developed to enhance the creative work of origami artists and paper crafters. The pack contains 12 unique patterns, and all of the papers are printed with coordinating colors on the reverse to provide aesthetically pleasing combinations in origami models that show both the front and back.This origami paper pack includes:500 sheets of high-quality origami paper12 unique patternsBright, vibrant colorsDouble-sided color6 x 6 inch (15 cm) squaresStep-by-step instructions for 6 easy-to-fold origami projects Read more

One of Literary Hub's Most Anticipated Books of 2025 One of Five Books Best Nonfiction Books of 2024 Shortlisted for the 2024 Baillie Gifford Prize An original and revealing portrait of the misunderstood French Post-Impressionist artist.Paul Gauguin’s legend as a transgressive genius arises as much from his biography as his aesthetically daring Polynesian paintings. Gauguin is chiefly known for his pictures that eschewed convention, to celebrate the beauty of an indigenous people and their culture. In this gorgeously illustrated, myth-busting work, Sue Prideaux reveals that while Gauguin was a complicated man, his scandalous reputation is largely undeserved.Self-taught, Gauguin became a towering artist in his brief life, not just in painting but in ceramics and graphics. He fled the bustle of Paris for the beauty of Tahiti, where he lived simply and worked consistently to expose the tragic results of French Colonialism. Gauguin fought for the rights of Indigenous people, exposing French injustices and corruption in the local newspaper and acting as advocate for the Tahitian people in the French colonial courts. His unconventional career and bold, breathtaking art influenced not only Vincent van Gogh, but Matisse and Picasso.Wild Thing upends much of what we thought we knew about Gauguin through new primary research, including the resurfaced manuscript of Gauguin’s most important writing, the untranslated memoir of Gauguin’s son, and a sample of Gauguin’s teeth that disproves the pernicious myth of his syphilis. In the first full biography of Paul Gauguin in thirty years, Sue Prideaux illuminates the extraordinary oeuvre of a visionary artist vital to the French avant-garde. The result is “a brilliantly readable and compassionate study of Gauguin―not just as a painter, sculptor, carver and potter, but as a human soul perpetually searching for what is always just out of reach” (Artemis Cooper, Spectator). 70 color illustrations Read more

Caravaggio, or more accurately Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571–1610), was always a name to be reckoned with. Notorious bad boy of Italian painting, the artist was at once celebrated and controversial: violent in temper, precise in technique, a creative master, and a man on the run. Today, he is considered one of the greatest influences in all art history.This edition offers a neat and comprehensive Caravaggio catalogue raisonné. Each of his paintings is reproduced from recent top-quality photography, allowing for a vivid encounter with the artist’s ingenious repertoire of looks and gestures, as well as numerous detail shots of his boundary-breaking naturalism. Five accompanying chapters trace the complete arc of Caravaggio’s career from his first public commissions in Rome through to his growing celebrity status and trace his tempestuous personal life, in which drama loomed as prominently as in his canvases. Read more

Discover the artistic wonders of the Vatican, from the Sistine Chapel to Raphael's frescoes and much more, with this deluxe slipcased edition of the New York Times bestselling book The Vatican: All the Paintings. The Vatican is home to dozens of museums and palaces which together house one the finest art collections in the world. Every painting and fresco on display in the Vatican museums by the Old Masters—pre-19th century European painting—plus a selection of more than 300 other works of art including modern painting, sculpture, tapestries, and other artifacts, is collected in this unprecedented book.   Organized into 22 sections representing the museums and areas of the Vatican, including the Pinacoteca (painting gallery), the Sistine Chapel, the Raphael Rooms, the Borgia Apartments, the Vatican Palaces, and St. Peter’s Basilica, The Vatican: All the Paintings includes 976 works of art. This slipcased edition features not only Christian art but also includes works from ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, as well as many other works of religious and secular art right up to and including a selection of 20th century art and artifacts. One hundred and eighty of the most iconic and significant works of art are illuminated by art historian Anja Grebe with discussions on the key attributes of the masterpiece.   With an introduction by Ross King, bestselling author of Brunelleschi's Dome and Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling, this stunning collection of nearly 1,000 historic works of art is a must-have for every art lover, student, and armchair traveler.   Read more

An illustrated edition of The 1619 Project, with newly commissioned artwork and archival images, The New York Times Magazine’s award-winning reframing of the American founding and its contemporary echoes, placing slavery and resistance at the center of the American story.Here, in these pages, Black art provides refuge. The marriage of beautiful, haunting and profound words and imagery creates an experience for the reader, a wanting to reflect, to sit in both the discomfort and the joy, to contemplate what a nation owes a people who have contributed so much and yet received so little, and maybe even, to act.—Nikole Hannah-Jones, from the PrefaceCurated by the editors of The New York Times Magazine, led by Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, this illustrated edition of The 1619 Project features seven chapters from the original book that lend themselves to beautiful, engaging visuals, deepening the experience of the content. The 1619 Project: A Visual Experience offers the same revolutionary idea as the original book, an argument for a new national origin story that begins in late August of 1619, when a cargo ship of people stolen from Africa arrived on the shores of Point Comfort, Virginia. Only by reckoning with this difficult history and understanding its powerful influence on our present can we prepare ourselves for a more just future. Filled with original art by thirteen Black artists like Carrie Mae Weems, Calida Rawles, Vitus Shell, Xaviera Simmons, on the themes of resistance and freedom, a brand-new photo essay about slave auction sites, vivid photos of Black Americans celebrating their own forms of patriotism, and a collection of archival images of Black families by Black photographers, this gorgeous volume offers readers a dynamic new way of experiencing the impact of The 1619 Project.Complete with many of the powerful essays and vignettes from the original edition, written by some of the most brilliant journalists, scholars, and thinkers of our time, The 1619 Project: A Visual Experience brings to life a fuller, more comprehensive understanding of American history and culture. Read more

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An updated version of the seminal 1994 classic volume on the beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. Every book with "wabi" or "wabi sabi" in the title is based on the concepts first elucidated in this book. Read more

Winner of the National Book Critics' Circle Award for Criticism.One of the most highly regarded books of its kind, Susan Sontag's On Photography first appeared in 1977 and is described by its author as "a progress of essays about the meaning and career of photographs." It begins with the famous "In Plato's Cave"essay, then offers five other prose meditations on this topic, and concludes with a fascinating and far-reaching "Brief Anthology of Quotations." Read more