Books

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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

Booksreview

From torture to cream tea: new book chronicles the history of Britain’s castles

Eyewitness accounts from behind the gates of fortresses dating from the seventh century to now bring these imposing buildings to life

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Take a fresh look: a new little history of art offers a global perspective

In her forthcoming book, Charlotte Mullins aims to challenge the “myopic prioritisation of male Western art” in earlier art history publications

Five of the best recently published art-inspired novels

Our pick of new fiction with an art theme, from seasoned writers to exciting newcomers

Booksreview

Latest volume of Gerhard Richter catalogue raisonné presents the contemporary German master’s vast, vivid output

Sixth book explores the artist’s oeuvre, from the Cologne Cathedral window in 2007 to his last sculptures in 2019

Booksreview

Book offers overdue estimation of Decimus Burton, an architect of Classical class

The acclaimed 19th-century architect's structures were once described insipidly as having “gentlemanly reticence”

Booksreview

‘Not art history as usual’: book brings together revolutionary writings by the feminist art historian Linda Nochlin

The 30 essays on realism, Modernism and modernity include seven that have never before been published

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What now? Lessons for the art world in the BLM and #MeToo era

In a new book Farah Nayeri says that “cancel culture” is nothing new, politics and art have always been intertwined—but now it is citizens, not kings and popes, who call the shots

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‘Don’t smudge’: Paula Rego gives a unique insight into her work as she is interviewed by leading artists

The artist's peers, including Tracey Emin and Marlene Dumas, asked the veteran Portuguese artist about different aspects of her artistic practice for a new book

Book Clubinterview

Q&A | Osman Yousefzada on wrapping a department store and having early works destroyed by his family

The artist and designer tells us about his new memoir, which details growing up in Birmingham and taking his mum to a museum for the first time to see his installation of her bedroom

Booksreview

New Getty publication on anatomical illustration explores the convergence of art and science

Anatomy has long intersected with art, and artists have been central to creating a market for such intricate works

New book deep dives into the vast collection of W.A. Ismay—the UK’s most prolific collector of post-war British studio pottery

The "professional Yorkshireman" had more than 3,600 pieces including the likes of Lucie Rie and Bernard Leach

Booksreview

Magnificent two-volume book reveals the sumptuous, Rococo-infused life of Versailles courtier Madame de Pompadour

This comprehensive history of the lady’s obsessive relationship with Sèvres porcelain in the 18th century sheds light on little-known aspects of the industry

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Extract | Surrealism’s tricky global transformation

The art historian Partha Mitter looks at Surrealism’s uneasy relationship with colonialism and primitivism in this extract from a catalogue accompanying a new Tate show about the movement’s worldwide impact

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Laminating, latticing and plaiting bamboo: New book on Vietnamese architect Vo Trong Nghia looks at sustainability and spirituality

Vo’s work offers a fresh perspective on the Western modernist tradition of “organic” architecture

An expert's guide to Picasso's Blue Period: five must-read books on the Spanish painter's early career

All you ever wanted to know about Picasso’s Blue Period, from the definitive early biography to the journals of his “first great love”—selected by the curator Susan Behrends Frank

Booksreview

New biography of artist Florine Stettheimer looks beyond her seductively bright colours to the social commentary beneath

Thorough research into the American painter’s life and art reveals layers of meaning in her work that have been long overlooked

Booksreview

Book offering first major analysis of Amit Dutta's work puts Indian film-making in the spotlight

Leading experimental film-maker has exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and London's Tate Modern

Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s personal library for sale at Bonhams

The sale traces her intellectual development from a law student and avid reader to one of the most recognizable justices on the Supreme Court.

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Extract | Leonardo da Vinci’s drawing and painting tips

The Old Master’s advice is among the fascinating facts and illuminating anecdotes gathered in a new compendium called Artifacts

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Extract | What should we do about paintings with racist titles?

In a new book of cultural essays, the Canadian novelist Esi Edugyan ponders whether we should change offensive names given to art—and what that might say about us

Booksreview

From Modigliani to Imelda Marcos, museum thefts to market machinations: renowned German investigative reporters present an arresting story of art crime

The authors’ overview of the types of art crime includes serious analysis—and some entertaining tales

An expert’s guide to Georgia O’Keeffe: five must-read books on the American painter

All you ever wanted to know about O’Keeffe, including a comprehensive biography, the artist’s “perfect” novice recipe book, and her letters to photographer Alfred Stieglitz—selected by the curator Theodora Vischer