- Art & Design
Next week the second edition of Imagicasa Art will be in stores, including a list of other inspiring books, but because there are so many more interesting publications we like to give some of them some extra attention here. Especially with the holidays just around the corner, one (or several) of these might make for the perfect gift for a loved one — or for yourself.
Rinus Van de Velde (Hannibal)
The best-known works by Rinus Van de Velde are his monumental charcoal drawings. However, the artist has a much more diverse portfolio and in this book his colour drawings are in the spotlight for the first time. Smaller in scale and more colourful, these are very realistic and show the technical qualities of Van de Velde. "He plays a game with which he constantly balances between reality and fiction. Real events are transformed into a carefully constructed alternative universe in which every existing image still has complete freedom," we heard at the presentation. We are very much looking forward to this book and you can already book it here. 
Rembrandt: All Paintings (Taschen)
We have written about this book before, but now that the Rembrandt year — the artist died exactly 350 years ago — is coming to an end, we would like to put it back in our list of must-have art books. In this fist-thick publication, the paintings are discussed by the renowned art historians Volker Manuth, Marieke de Winkel and Rudie van Leeuwen. They explain details — often depicted in full-page form — that you would never have noticed yourself and introduce you to Rembrandt's work in a completely new way. Thanks to the size of the book, the paintings come into their own and you can still acquire the work of this master painter for a small amount of money. Buy it here.
Matisse in 50 works (Pavilion Books)
Fifty iconic works by Henri Matisse will help you get to know the man behind the artist better and the techniques behind the drawings and (wall) paintings. Each work was created in a specific context. In this book you can read more about the life during the late 19th and early 20th century and some important figures who played a role in the life of Matisse. The book reads very accessible, but is also very informative for those who already have more knowledge of the art world. With this link you can get your own copy. 
Named June Paik (Tate Publishing)
Until 9 February 2020, you can visit the special exhibition on Nam June Paik at Tate Modern in London. The South Korean artist was active for five decades and is best known for his experimental and innovative installations in which video and TV play a major role. Nam June Paik was a true visionary regarding the impact of mass media and new technologies on our visual culture and our lives. This book at the exhibition in London gives more insight into the unique vision of the artist, including some fragments from his own writings. Buy it here. 
The Flemish Primitives in Bruges (Ludion)
With this book you will acquire the art historical legacy of Bruges. During the Middle Ages, the West Flemish city was the cultural capital of Europe where not only artists, but also merchants from all over the world met. Till-Holger Borchert, director of the Bruges Museums, will guide you through this fascinating Bruges of the fifteenth century, where the Flemish Primitives played an important role and where you will find the origin of their inspiring work, which even many decades and centuries later still has an influence on the art landscape. The book is available here. 
The Lives of Artists (Phaidon)
Consisting of six volumes, this publication brings together a total of 82 profiles of contemporary artists. It all started when Calvin Tomkins was given the opportunity to interview Marcel Duchamp in 1959. In the sixties that followed, Tomkins was able to capture many other artists such as Cindy Sherman and Mark Bradford. The book promises hours of reading pleasure with art historical information, descriptions of the works of art and anecdotes about the artists. The result is a unique biography that is both informative and relaxing. You can find the box set here.