The holiday season is upon us, and for those in the art world, it’s the perfect time to read a book that illuminates, critiques, or celebrates aspects of this niche little world we inhabit. From thought-provoking non-fiction and engaging novels, to tales of art heists and celebrity tributes, this reading list has something for every art lover. Whether you’re interested in the intersection of A.I. and art, exploring the world of NFTs, or delving into the rise of Impressionism, these books are the perfect companion for your holiday downtime.
AI and the Art Market by Jo Lawson-Tancred
Jo Lawson-Tancred, AI and the Art Market (2024). Courtesy of Lund Humphries.
AI and the Art Market offers an in-depth exploration of artificial intelligence’s profound and unpredictable impact on the contemporary art world. Artnet News’s own Jo Lawson-Tancred examines how A.I. is reshaping core aspects of the industry, from authentication, valuation, and the rise of A.I. art, while redefining market dynamics. As A.I.-generated art gains more traction, the book explores how artists, galleries, and collectors can adapt to these shifts, navigating both potential opportunities and challenges. Key issues such as copyright, data usage, and ethical concerns are addressed, providing a nuanced perspective on the integration of A.I. in art. With a balanced, technorealist approach, Lawson-Tancred offers practical insights for art-market professionals seeking to embrace A.I.’s potential without overlooking its limitations. This timely guide equips its readers with the knowledge to navigate the evolving intersection of art and technology, making it essential for those shaping the future of the art market. To hear the author discuss some of the topics covered in her book, check out her star turn on the Art Angle podcast.
One Woman Show by Christine Coulson
Christine Coulson, One Woman Show. Courtesy of Simon & Schuster.
One Woman Show follows a satirical yet poignant exploration of Kitty Whitaker, a woman whose life is shaped by her status as an object to be collected, displayed, and judged. The novel unfolds entirely through the format of museum wall labels, offering readers a witty and unconventional narrative that follows Kitty through her changing roles in marriage, society, and self-identity. Each page is a new label that provides a snapshot of Kitty at different stages of her life, blending humor with sharp social commentary on themes of womanhood, power, and ownership. Drawing on her experience as a former senior writer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Coulson uses the language of curation to reflect on the performative nature of both the art world and human relationships. The result is a novel that questions who controls the stories we tell about ourselves, and who gets to decide what is worthy of display.
Over to You: Letters between a Father and Son by John Berger and Yves Berger
Yves Berger, John Berger, Over to You: Letters Between a Father and Son. Courtesy of Penguin Random House.
Over to You: Letters Between a Father and Son is a posthumous collection of correspondence between the acclaimed art critic John Berger and his artist son Yves. Written between 2015 and 2016—during which John wrote some of his last letters—the book weaves together personal reflections, art analysis, and illustrations, creating a rich and intimate dialogue. Beautifully illustrated with paintings from art history, it captures moments of connection and insight. One poignant passage recalls a memory from Yves’s childhood, when he stood with his father at a phone booth on a bridge in Geneva—a moment Yves later compares to works by Zhu Da and Dürer. The letters explore works by Goya, Caravaggio, and Twombly, using art to reflect on emotions, memory, and philosophical questions of existence. Full of warmth and wisdom, their conversations offer a heartfelt tribute to their relationship and a profound meditation on time, art, and the mysteries of life and death.
The Book of HOV: A Tribute to Jay-Z, edited by Assouline
The Book of HOV: A Tribute to Jay-Z. Courtesy of Assouline.
The Book of HOV is a tribute to the extraordinary life and legacy of artist and rapper Jay-Z, chronicling his rise from Brooklyn’s Marcy Projects to global icon. Through music, entrepreneurship, and cultural influence, it captures the rapper’s influence not only on music but also on visual art, fashion, and philanthropy. Lavishly produced by Assouline, this tribute includes rare photographs, essays, and interviews that chronicle his life, including his career milestones as the first Black owner of a champagne brand, launching his music platform Tidal, and transforming Roc Nation into a powerhouse for music, sports, and philanthropy. The book follows an exhibition at the Brooklyn Public Library that attracted over 600,000 visitors. Sections like “Did It All Without a Pen” honor his lyricism, while “Win-Win” highlights his activism in education and criminal justice reform.
Token Supremacy by Zachary Small
Zachary Small, Token Supremacy: The Art of Finance, the Finance of Art, and the Great Crypto Crash of 2022. Courtesy of Penguin Random House.
Token Supremacy critically examines the rise and fall of the NFT market, exploring the intersection of art, finance, and speculation. The book opens with a diagram tracking Ethereum’s price from January 2020 to January 2023, charting the market’s explosive growth following Christie’s planning of its Beeple auction in January 2021, coinciding with the storming of the U.S. Capitol. As investors flood the NFT space, the market’s volatility becomes apparent, particularly during the 2022 Sotheby’s CryptoPunks auction, which coincided with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The book interrogates the art world’s complicity in this volatile market, examining tokenism, commodification, and the tension between art and money. Through engaging anecdotes and art historical detours, Small uncovers the blurred lines between creativity and financial exploitation, offering a provocative take on the future of digital art and its economic implications.
Queer Art: From Club to Canvas by Gemma Rolls-Bentley
Gemma Rolls-Bentley, Queer Art: From Canvas to Club, and the Spaces Between (2024). Courtesy of MIT Press.
Queer Art: From Canvas to Club celebrates the rich, dynamic history of LGBTQ+ art across the globe. Curated by Gemma Rolls-Bentley, it features over 150 works from legendary artists like David Hockney, Andy Warhol, and Catherine Opie, alongside contemporary voices like Zackary Drucker and Sin Wai Kin. Divided into thematic chapters—Queer Spaces, Queer Bodies, and Queer Power—the book explores the pivotal moments that have shaped queer identity, from the Stonewall riots to the fight for trans liberation. A vibrant, inclusive collection, it captures the resilience, creativity, and ongoing celebrations and challenges that the LGBTQ+ community experience in art world.
Andy Warhol’s Mother: The Woman Behind the Artist by Elaine Rusinko
Elaine Rusinko, Andy Warhol’s Mother, The Woman Behind the Artist. Courtesy of University of Pittsburgh Press.
Writer and professor of Russian language and literature at the University of Maryland, Elaine Rusinko shines a long-overdue light on Julia Warhola, whose quiet influence profoundly shaped the art and persona of her son, Andy Warhol. Born in rural Austria-Hungary, the immigrant mother’s life was one of sacrifice as she nurtured Andy’s creative spirit while quietly pursuing her own artistic expression. Through vivid storytelling and unpublished materials, Rusinko explores Julia’s Carpatho-Rusyn heritage, her role as a mother in Pittsburgh when the area was plunged into a deep depression, and the lasting impact of her folk art sensibilities on Andy’s work. From the folkways of Eastern Europe to the avant-garde streets of New York, Julia’s world influenced everything from Warhol’s soup cans to his iconic aesthetic. A compelling portrait of an unsung muse, this book deepens our understanding of Warhol’s artistic roots and the woman who quietly stood behind the Pop artist.
Cellophane Bricks by Jonathan Lethem
Jonathan Lethem, Cellophane Bricks. Courtesy of ZE Books.
Cellophane Bricks is Lethem’s captivating exploration of the intersection between visual art and storytelling. Blending essays, stories, and original reflections, Lethem explores his lifelong engagement with the visual arts, from his early years spent in his father’s studio to his art school education. This collection reflects his artistic journey, offering meditations on comics, graffiti, and museum culture, alongside his collaborations with artists. With stunning, full-color images, Cellophane Bricks is a beautifully designed tribute to the ways art and life interact and intertwine, offering a rich and immersive experience for both visual art and literature lovers.
Paris in Ruins by Sebastian Smee
Sebastian Smee, Paris in Ruins. Courtesy of WW Norton.
In Paris in Ruins, Pulitzer Prize-winning critic Sebastian Smee vividly recounts the tumultuous period of the Franco-Prussian War and its profound effect on the rise of Impressionism. Trapped in besieged Paris, artists like Édouard Manet and Berthe Morisot developed new ways of seeing, reflecting the chaos and deprivation around them. Smee explores their lives during this “Terrible Year,” highlighting their personal struggles and their art’s transformation. Blending historical narrative with intimate portraits, Paris in Ruins offers an insightful look at how war and upheaval shaped some of history’s most iconic artworks and the artists behind them.
The Caravaggio Syndrome: A Novel (Other Voices of Italy) by Alessandro Giardino
Alessandro Giardino, The Caravaggio Syndrome. Courtesy of Rutgers University Press.
In this blend of historical, queer, and speculative fiction, Leyla, a driven art historian, finds herself in an unexpected love triangle with Pablo, a charming but annoying computer technician, and Michael, her student. As they explore Caravaggio’s The Seven Works of Mercy and the writings of 17th-century philosopher Tommaso Campanella, the past and present collide, transporting them to Naples centuries ago. This journey of self-discovery looks at artistic dissatisfaction, personal resilience, and complex relationships. With a compelling narrative and thought-provoking themes, The Caravaggio Syndrome weaves together the intellectual depth of Umberto Eco and Michael Cunningham.
Art Heist: 50 Artworks You Will Never See by Susie Hodge
Susie Hodge, Art Heist: 50 Artworks You Will Never See. Courtesy of Ivy Press.
What do Michelangelo’s Mask of a Faun, Caravaggio’s Nativity, Rembrandt’s The Storm on the Sea of Galilee, Cézanne’s View of Auvers-sur-Oise, and Van Gogh’s The Parsonage Garden at Nuenen in Spring have in common? They’ve all been stolen and never recovered. In this gripping exploration of art’s most daring heists, Hodge delves into the stories behind 50 priceless works of art that vanished without a trace. From the audacious thefts to the failed recovery efforts, Art Heist uncovers the mysteries surrounding these elusive masterpieces, offering insights into why and how they were stolen, and the attempts to track them down. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or a true crime fan, this book provides a thrilling look into the intersection of art, crime, and history. A must-read for anyone fascinated by the world of stolen art and the captivating mysteries that surround it.
Portrait of the Art Dealer as a Young Man by Michael Findlay
Michael Findlay, Portrait of the Art Dealer as a Young Man. Courtesy of Penguin Random House.
Findlay’s candid memoir traces his journey from a childhood in Scotland to his perch as one of the most respected art dealers of the 20th century. Set against the backdrop of New York City in the 1960s and ’70s, the book provides an insider’s look at the golden age of the art market and the vibrant Downtown scene, where Findlay launched the careers of iconic artists such as John Baldessari, Stephen Mueller, and Billy Sullivan. From the bohemian atmosphere of the Chelsea Hotel to the dynamic world of SoHo galleries, Findlay’s memoir reveals the wild parties, creative energy, and freewheeling lifestyle that defined the era, bringing to life the legendary figures he encountered, including Andy Warhol, David Hockney, Robert Rauschenberg, and Allen Ginsberg.
Credit: news.artnet
