Book Club
The Art Newspaper’s Book Club shines a light on art books in their myriad forms and brings you exclusive extracts, interviews and recommendations from leading art world figures. Sign up to our monthly newsletter above
A bonanza of Bayeux Tapestry books to accompany the blockbuster British Museum exhibition
There is plenty to read about the medieval masterpiece as it returns to England for the first time in almost 1,000 years
Ultimate reading lists
Interviews with writers
Features
How novelists continue to be inspired by artists
Several books out this summer use art as a springboard—we speak to some of their authors
Mapplethorpe nudes, the NEA and the birth of America’s culture wars
We speak to the writer Isaac Butler about his book revisiting the battles over censorship and public funding in the US during the 1980s and 1990s
‘A remarkably tenacious motif’: the many faces of Marilyn Monroe revealed in new book and show
Different artists’ takes on the film star are explored ahead of an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in London
What is the art world reading?
The best art books of 2025, as picked by The Art Newspaper’s editors
The publications that delighted our literary team this year, from important exhibition catalogues and overdue surveys to personal reflections and playful illustrations
Some of our favourite books of 2024—picked by The Art Newspaper’s books team
Our literary editors share what has delighted them this year, from art-themed novels to edifying histories
The top art books of 2023—chosen by The Art Newspaper’s book team
There is something for every art lover among our pick of the publications—from a forgotten 17th-century painter to a lively history of dyes
Nine artists recommend their favourite books for summer
From dystopian biography and intelligent plants to “monstrous mothers” and the underwater world, avid readers share their top tips
Book extracts
What’s it like organising the Venice Biennale? Former curators dish the dirt
Robert Storr speaks about his tenure in this exclusive extract from Massimiliano Gioni’s new book of interviews with biennale artistic directors
Keep it in the family: how Johannes Vermeer’s paintings remained out of view for so long
In an exclusive extract from Andrew Graham-Dixon’s new biography, we learn how many of the Dutch Old Master's works stayed in one family for years
A short guide to the hidden meanings in great paintings
An A to C extract from the glossary of Painted Mysteries, which deciphers common motifs and symbols in famous works
When Masha met Ragnar: Pussy Riot member’s life-changing encounter
In this extract from her new book, Maria "Masha" Alyokhina Alyokhina recalls her first meeting with the Icelandic artist Ragnar Kjartansson
Arshile Gorky’s experience as an immigrant to the US and the painting that defined it
An exclusive extract by Adam Gopnik on the Armenian American painter, taken from a collection of essays about the artist’s time in New York City
In Pictures
In Pictures | Artist billboards across America tell a story of US politics today
Ahead of the November presidential election, a new book by the For Freedoms organisation brings together the topical and political posters that it has commissioned since 2016
In Pictures | Ukraine before the 2022 Russian invasion, from holidaymakers in Odesa to the frontlines of Mariupol
Mark Neville’s new photobook—of images taken over the past six years—is a call to action that has been sent to hundreds of politicians and other influential people around the world
In Pictures | How Gianfranco Gorgoni captured the mysticism of the Land Art movement
More than 150 rarely-seen photographs chronicle the history of seminal earthworks in the landscape
In Pictures | Behind the scenes of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s work wrapping the Arc de Triomphe
A new book looks at the detailed preparations and 60 years of planning behind the work being unveiled in Paris
In Pictures | Barkley L. Hendricks unseen photographs gathered in new publication
The US artist’s images are joined by an extract from the book looking at how aspects of his painting and photography overlapped
September Book Bag: from Don McCullin’s powerful Vietnam images to a behind-the-scenes dive into Paula Rego’s studio
Our round-up of the latest art publications
When Hockney met Betty: new book uncovers mysterious Beverly Hills Housewife in famous Los Angeles painting
Author James Cahill's account of the burgeoning 1960s LA art scene explores links between collector Betty Freeman and the late Yorkshire artist
A bonanza of Bayeux Tapestry books to accompany the blockbuster British Museum exhibition
There is plenty to read about the medieval masterpiece as it returns to England for the first time in almost 1,000 years
An expert’s guide to Anish Kapoor: five must-read books
With a new show at London’s Hayward Gallery, an expert chooses books that delve into the established sculptor’s life and work over five decades
Why I launched a new photobook imprint—veteran bookseller and publisher reveals next career move
Foxed Editions co-founded by Rudi Thoemmes focuses on overlooked parts of photographic history
August Book Bag: from a collection of ‘sizzling’ portraits to a survey of little-known US museums
Our round-up of the latest art publications
Five must-read books on Pan-Africanism and art
The best publications about the subject, from a collection of Surrealist writing to a survey of pioneering architects—selected by Elvira Dyangani Ose and Adom Getachew
What’s it like organising the Venice Biennale? Former curators dish the dirt
Robert Storr speaks about his tenure in this exclusive extract from Massimiliano Gioni’s new book of interviews with biennale artistic directors
The author of a new book on Lavinia Fontana’s erotic art reveals all
The Italian scholar Enrico Maria dal Pozzolo tells us about new discoveries and why the Bolognese painter was an innovator in her field
July Book Bag: from a selection of US folk art to a closer look at the work of YBA Gary Hume
Our round-up of the latest art publications
How novelists continue to be inspired by artists
Several books out this summer use art as a springboard—we speak to some of their authors
The worst of us: a philosopher’s guide to the world’s most depraved art
The academic Daisy Dixon discusses her new book investigating the art that has provoked outrage over the centuries
An expert’s guide to Gustave Courbet: five must-read books on the French painter
The best Courbet publications, from a comprehensive monograph to a look at how he was “a skilful media strategist”—selected by the curators Sonja Pizonka and Anna Brohm
June Book Bag: from the street art of JR to a behind-the-scenes look at the Venice Biennale
Our round-up of the latest art publications
Mapplethorpe nudes, the NEA and the birth of America’s culture wars
We speak to the writer Isaac Butler about his book revisiting the battles over censorship and public funding in the US during the 1980s and 1990s
How Andy Warhol’s textile and fashion work influenced his art
Three key takeaways from a new book that looks at the artist's designs for shop awnings, advertising illustrations, screen-printed clothes and more
An expert’s guide to Marina Abramović: five must-read books on the performance artist
The best Abramović publications, from an intimate memoir to a collection of the artist’s aphorisms—selected by the curator Shai Baitel
May Book Bag: from a guide on entering the art world to a publication about artists influenced by Ovid’s Metamorphoses
Our round-up of the latest art publications
‘A remarkably tenacious motif’: the many faces of Marilyn Monroe revealed in new book and show
Different artists’ takes on the film star are explored ahead of an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in London
How the adoption of canvas in Venice changed the way artists painted
Four key takeaways from a new book about the innovative use of canvas in 16th-century Italy
An expert's guide to Tracey Emin: five must-read books on the British artist
The best Emin publications, from her searingly honest autobiography to a collection of revealing snapshots—selected by the Tate’s assistant curator Jess Baxter
April Book Bag: from a Matthew Wong catalogue to a history of dogs in art
Our round-up of the latest art publications
Pressing issues: the vital role of printmaking in the history of art
We speak to the author of a new book that looks at how making prints has been vital for many famous artists
Keep it in the family: how Johannes Vermeer’s paintings remained out of view for so long
In an exclusive extract from Andrew Graham-Dixon’s new biography, we learn how many of the Dutch Old Master's works stayed in one family for years
An expert's guide to Alexander Calder: six must-read books on the US sculptor
The best Calder publications, from a comprehensive two-volume biography to a children’s book about his moveable circus—selected by the curators Dieter Buchhart and Anna Karina Hofbauer
March Book Bag: from a Modigliani catalogue raisonné to a career guide for artists
Our round-up of the latest art publications
An expert's guide to John Constable: five must-read books on the British painter
The best publications to learn all about Constable, from a journey through the landscapes that inspired him to a children's activity book—selected by the curator Emma Roodhouse
A short guide to the hidden meanings in great paintings
An A to C extract from the glossary of Painted Mysteries, which deciphers common motifs and symbols in famous works
New book digs into the little-known gallery that brought Modern art to America
The publication's author on how it has taken decades of research to tell the story of the New York gallery, which exhibited artists such Picasso and Mondrian
February Book Bag: from Tracey Emin’s conversations about painting to a catalogue of Lucian Freud’s drawings
Our round-up of the latest art publications
