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
The story behind Grant Wood’s American Gothic and what made it go viral
The author of a new book on the famous painting tells us why even she was mistaken about who it portrayed
Ultimate reading lists
Interviews with writers
Features
‘I am such a lazybones’: new book reveals Claude Monet’s life through his letters
A collection of the artist’s correspondence provides fascinating new insights, from his domestic life to acquisition negotiations
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
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
What is the art world reading?
Book extracts
In Pictures
November Book Bag: from a book about broken art to a collection of Zanele Muholi’s LGBTQ+ portraits
Our round-up of the latest art publications
Why Mary Cassatt was more than just a painter of the ‘modern Madonna’
The curator Mary G. Morton tells us about her new publication that paints the Impressionist artist in a new light
An expert’s guide to Pierre-Auguste Renoir: five must-read books on the French Impressionist
The best Renoir publications, from a study of his influential later period to an intimate portrayal by his film-maker son Jean—selected by the curator Christopher Riopelle
October Book Bag: from Taryn Simon’s intriguing Guggenheim installation catalogue to a publication about Hans Arp’s paper sculptures
Our round-up of the latest art publications
An expert’s guide to Frida Kahlo: five must-read books on the Mexican Surrealist
The best Kahlo publications, from an incisive art-historical study to a facsimile of the artist’s diary—selected by the Tate curator Beatriz García-Velasco
Found objects and fall-outs: publication reveals new sides to Donald Judd and his work
Neil Levine, a historian and former friend of the artist, tells us about his publication, which offers a personal perspective on the Minimalist master
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
An expert’s guide to Anish Kapoor: five must-read books on the British-Indian artist
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
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