What the art world is reading

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

Compiled by Gareth Harris and José da Silva

The top art books of 2022—chosen by The Art Newspaper's books team

Struggling for Christmas gifts? Take a look at the publications we enjoyed over the past year—from an exploration of art and motherhood to an interrogation of the culture wars

The best art books for summer 2022—as recommended by artists, curators, museum directors and dealers

From artist biographies and essay collections to a dystopian novel, surf culture and a rock’n’roll autobiography

Compiled by José da Silva and Gareth Harris

Who read what in 2021? The art world shares its top tips

Leading directors, curators and artists reveal their favourite books of the past year

Compiled by Gareth Harris

The best art books for summer—as recommended by curators, directors and dealers

As we enter the final weeks of the season, check out these riveting reads, from “the best novel about painting” to a book with no words at all

Compiled by José da Silva and Gareth Harris

The best art books to dive into this summer—as recommended by artists

Whether you are lying on a beach or next to a paddling pool, sit back and let your mind soak up these inspiring reads

Compiled by Gareth Harris and José da Silva

What was the best art book you read in 2020? The Art Newspaper team reveals its favourite publications

From the catalogue for a controversial Guston show to a four-volume tome on Leonardo Da Vinci—and some lighter reads too

What was the best art book you read in 2020? The art world’s biggest names give us their top tips

The directors of the Met, Tate Modern, British Museum, Centre Pompidou and more, as well as artists such as Tracey Emin, tell us all about their favourite book—just in time for Christmas shopping

What has the Goldsmiths CCA director Sarah McCrory been reading this year?

The curator's interests have ranged from artist interviews and books on race, to crime fiction and a biography revealing what Walter Gropius really thought of the English

What has the National Portrait Gallery’s Nicholas Cullinan been reading this summer?

The museum director has been delving into artist biographies, swotting up on black British history and is hoping to finally begin a well-known novel trilogy

What has the Camden Art Centre director Martin Clark been reading during lockdown?

The curator has been delving into the complex lives of plants and has found “the perfect companion through these strange days”

What has the Wallace Collection director Xavier Bray been reading during lockdown?

The art historian has been engrossed by a spy biography featuring art world personalities, and is taking his first steps with a book on ancient walking routes

What has the Whitechapel Gallery chief Iwona Blazwick been reading during lockdown?

The London-based curator has been perusing publications on science fiction, avant-garde cabarets and all things witchy

What has the art world been reading during the coronavirus lockdown? Part two

Curators, directors and art historians tell us about the books they have been reading and revisiting

What is the curator Hans-Ulrich Obrist reading during lockdown?

The artistic director of the Serpentine Galleries has been inspired by his daily walks and ‘animal interviews’ to revisit one of his favourite books about trees

What is the collector Eugenio Re Rebaudengo reading during lockdown?

The Turin-based art patron enjoys learning about artist rivalries and delving into the Francis Bacon catalogue raisonné, among other things

What is the curator Chrissie Iles reading during lockdown?

The Whitney Museum of American Art curator delights in learning about the global culture of the Middle Ages and finds lessons for the future in a Cauleen Smith monograph

What is the art world reading during the coronavirus lockdown?

Curators and directors tell us about their new favourite books as The Art Newspaper launches its Book Club