The art book remains an in-reach status symbol for industry aficionados not yet ready to drop tens of thousands — if not millions — on an original piece from their favourite creative. From photographers to illustrators, fashion designers to fine artists, there’s a wealth of art books that capture the spirit of those whose work they carry — ones both informative and designed for the interiors aesthete.
Whether you’re genuinely intrigued or, let’s face it, just a bit of a poser, here are 25 art books that will enlighten you on some legendary artists — and look good on your bookshelf too.
Untold Stories, Peter Lindbergh
Wim Wenders offers textual context to the career of a photographic legend in this book spanning the past 50 years of his career. Buy it here.
The Complete Paintings (1909-1918), Egon Schiele
A robust collection of the late Austrian Expressionist’s works, known best for his nude self-portraits. Buy it here.
Companions, Yana Wernicke
The young German photographer forms a portrait of the deeply felt connection between humans and animals. Buy it here.
Virgil Abloh. Nike. ICONS.
The OFF-WHITE founder’s link-up with Nike in the 2010s was the stuff of streetwear legend. This book breaks down the collaboration’s inception from a design perspective. Buy it here.
David Bailey (Retrospective)
Sixty years of David Bailey portraits of everybody from Salvador Dali to Queen Elizabeth II. Buy it here.
August, Collier Schorr
Collier Schorr’s part-fiction, part-documentary portrait of a German town, shot in the early 90s. Buy it here.
Andy Warhol and Friends, Steve Schapiro
A documentation by photojournalist Steve Schapiro of Andy Warhol’s rise to fame. Buy it here.
A Different Vision on Fashion Photography, Peter Lindbergh
A collection of Peter Lindbergh’s fashion-leaning work. Buy it here.
Provincetown, Joel Meyerowitz
In the 70s and 80s, Joel Meyerowitz captured the people who lived and passed through Provincetown in Massachusetts, a since-long-forgotten haven for queer people. The book contains 100 portraits from that time. Buy it here.
Naomi
A big book about Naomi Campbell, curated with her blessing. Buy it here.
Louis Vuitton: Virgil Abloh
A documentation of Virgil’s important reign over Louis Vuitton menswear. Buy it here.
The Pedro Almodóvar Archives
Essays and behind-the-scenes imagery from the world of Almodóvar, from his early work through to present day. Buy it here.
Marilyn Monroe, André de Dienes
A star whose existence is usually excessively glossy painted in a natural, more relatable light. Buy it here.
Burberry
Assouline’s classy and well-rounded study of the legendary British heritage brand. Buy it here.
Helmut Newton
Once the most expensive photo book ever sold, Helmut Newton’s monograph gets an anniversary re-release in SUMO form, revised by Helmut’s wife June. Buy it here.
The Ballad of Sexual Dependency, Nan Goldin
Nan Goldin’s explicit study of violence and love is considered one of the tomes of documentary photography. Buy it here.
I can’t stand to see you cry, Rahim Fortune
The vastness of Texas and its surrounding states is captured in the visual stories of the relationships that form there, in Rahim Fortune’s stunning book. Buy it here.
Tom of Finland
Taschen’s homage to the homoerotic kings of the 20th century. Buy it here.
Silver Lake Drive, Alex Prager
Alex Prager stages images that look like documentary portraits; surreal framings of people that feel like real people. Silver Lake Drive is her most complete monograph to date. Buy it here.
Love, Sex and Desire, Andy Warhol
A collection of scratchy and intimate illustrations from a man known better for his searing, big pop art. Buy it here.
Robert Mapplethorpe, Mark Holborn
Mark Holborn edits this lengthy monograph of Robert Mapplethorpe’s black-and-white photography, featuring everything from flowers to naked portraits. Buy it here.
Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining
A two-volume dive into the making of The Shining, edited by Lee Unkrich. Buy it here.
Which One, Rose Wylie
A book that combines the painting and drawing work present in four exhibitions from Rose Wylie: an artist obsessed with high- and low-brow culture, film, art and fashion. Buy it here.
Lost and Found, David LaChapelle
Known as the Fellini of fashion photography in the 90s, this two-part monograph of David LaChapelle’s work features appearances from artists like Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga. Buy it here.
i-D: Wink and Smile (The First Forty Years)
The ultimate documentation of i-D’s history, compiled by editor-in-chief Alastair McKimm. Buy it here.