Book Reports

It’s an honor to be asked to sit for a portrait by Lucian Freud, arguably one of the greatest artists of the twentieth century. Martin Gayford, author and art critic for the weekly news magazine The Spectator, chronicles the process of sitting for and with an artist for a long period of time and then, of course, the final result.

This lush book presents more than 100 of William Morris’ illustrations. A major figure in the Arts and Crafts movement in the nineteenth century, Morris is best known for his intricate flower pattern. Inspired by his garden in Kent, Renaissance tapestries, and medieval manuscripts, his illustrations continue to influence interior and textile designers.

This book is a wonderful and plain-spoken introduction to major figures in modern and contemporary art. While the definition of “cult artist” is up for debate, there is no denying that the fifty creative geniuses in Cult Artists have left an indelible mark on the art world.

For centuries humans have been collecting shells, coins, rocks, and various totems that we come across in daily life. In the seventeenth century, collections were displayed in both ornate rooms and large suites. This book traces existing and storied collections with detailed photos, drawings, and essays

Lee Krasner has been long-over looked as a painter. Overshadowed by her husband, Jackson Pollock, Krasner was a pioneer of the abstract expressionist movement of the 1940s. This beautifully designed and richly informative book coincides with a major retrospective at the Barbican Art Gallery in London.

A proud third-generation Oklahoman (and Kirkpatrick Foundation trustee), Max Weitzenhoffer made an unconventional journey into showbiz, eventually producing hits on Broadway and London’s West End. This book follows Weitzenhoffer’s risks and rewards in the worlds of theatre and art.

Ludwig Bemelmans is best known as the creator and illustrator of the popular children’s book Madeline. Bemelmans was also a commercial illustrator and cartoonist working steadily in the 1940s and 1950s. This book, part of a series highlighting notable illustrators, includes unpublished sketches and photographs from the artist’s archives.

Whether because of its ephemeral nature, or the inexpensive printing methods, postcards are a favorite medium for visual artists. This book reprints and revisits postcards created by an array of contemporary art luminaries such as Yoko Ono, Guerilla Girls, and David Shrigley.

Reflecting upon the most import ant and versatile building block of our modern world (literally!), Stone features more than 170 buildings and monuments, from ancient structures to modern-day icons, spanning the globe. This book is beautifully designed and thoroughly engaging for even the most novice admirer of architectural wonders.

After a jury of well-respected art-world aficionados combed through entries from thousands of artists responding to an open call, this book was compiled to showcase the 100 most exciting up-and-coming sculptors from more than thirty countries and six continents.