Dior, Assouline, 250 USD
This monumental volume, which was originally published on the French couture house's 60th birthday, has been lavishly updated to include a vast collection of haute couture dresses created since the founding of Dior in 1947. Dresses aside, the volume captures the spirit and ambiance of Dior in each era by utilizing iconic behind-the-scenes and runway images, as well as essays from noted fashion historians. All of your favorite photographers (Irving Penn, Richard Avedon) and models (Kate Moss, Suzy Parker) are presented in great fashion and confirm the fact that Dior's legacy is nothing but legendary.
The Women of Klimt, Schiele and Kokoschka, Prestel, 60 USD
When you think of Austrian painters, the three names that most often come to mind are probably Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, and Oskar Kokoschka—indisputable masters of modernism. Although they were active during the same time period (the late 19th and early 20th centuries) and all adhered to modernist aesthetics, each approached the subject of women quite differently, choosing to explore various facets of the beginning of "sexual liberation." By chronicling the evolving social, economic, and philosophical developments throughout the world, this volume beautifully presents each artist's perspective and presentation of women.
Lee, Assouline, 50 USD
It's hard to define Lee Radziwill with just one title. An American socialite, actress, interior decorator, and public relations guru, Radziwill was the younger sister of Jackie Kennedy Onassis and consistently exudes an aura of class and style. Now, with her latest book, Radziwill reflects on her life with her signature candid and intellectual perspective. Whether sharing personal photographs of the Kennedys or telling funny anecdotes about Truman Capote, her stories provide wonderful insight into a bit of American history.
Matisse in the Barnes Foundation, Thames & Hudson, 275 USD
If you've never had the pleasure of visiting the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia and/or viewing the works of Henri Matisse in person, this massive three book, slip-cased volume is the next best thing. Beautiful and vibrant, the volume features 59 works from various stages of the French artist's career—including the famed The Joy of Life and The Dance—as well as insightful essays about his unparalleled aesthetic. Simply put, it's a must-read for Matisse enthusiasts, or anyone interested in learning more.
New Objectivity: Modern German Art in the Weimar Republic 1919-1933, LACMA, 75 USD
The Weimar Republic continues to be one of the most fascinating periods in German history (the end of World War I through the rise of the Nazis), as it proved to be a thriving time for art and culture, despite political and economic tribulations. Defined by artists choosing to turn away from expressionism in favor of realism to accurately capture the era, the "Neue Sachlichkeit" movement, or New Objectivity, also rose to prominence during this time. Featuring dozens of artists such as Otto Dix, George Grosz, and Georg Schrimpf, this volume explores the unique movement in art history, as well as accompanies the titular exhibition at LACMA, which will be on display until January 18.
Jason Schmidt: Artists II, Steidl, 70 USD
If you've ever thought to yourself, "Hey, I'd love to see what the inside of my favorite artist's studio looks like, you will be very pleased with the contents of this book. As the second edition of Jason Schmidt's ongoing photo project of today's most important artists, Artists II depicts 166 noteworthy figures, including Ai Weiwei and Cindy Sherman, during intimate moments within their studios and work environments. As expected, each space has distinctive qualities and each photo provides great insight into the respective minds of the artists represented.
