Culture / Art Republik

In the Name of Art: Coffee Table Books for Christmas

Top picks of the the most eye-inspiring publications of the year, right in time for Christmas.

Dec 07, 2016 | By Madelaine Angelina

There are only three weeks left before Christmas. Have you found that perfect gift for that art enthusiast in your life? For those still on a quest for one, we’ve got your back. Here is the list of coffee table books that will are sure to sit well in any library.

‘Living with Pattern: Color, Texture, and Print at Home’ by Rebecca Atwood ($32.50, Clarkson Potter, published August, 2016)

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Judge this one based on its stylish, black and white pattern cover topped with red letterings. Presented by Brooklyn-based designer Rebecca Atwood, this book offers interior design insights to bring out the beauty of the living space. Expect pretty photography, color guides and patterns for every corner of your home.

‘Grace: The American Vogue Years’ by Grace Coddington ($175, Phaidon, published September, 2016)

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The second book of Vogue editor and fashion legend Grace Coddington explores her creative portfolio for the famed fashion bible from 2002. Consisting of 400 pages with 300 images that feature collaborations with photographers Mert Atlas and Mario Testino, this book is perfect for fashion aficionados everywhere.

‘The Walt Disney Film Archives: The Animated Movies 1921-1968’ ($200, Taschen, published October, 2016)

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Now this is the one for cinema fanatics and Disney lovers. This tome is one of the most extensive of all Disney’s animation publications, with rare photographs, 1,500 images ranging from concept art to detailed illustrations, and conversation excerpts of Walt Disney and his staffs.

‘The Art of Beatrix Potter: Sketches, Paintings, and Illustrations’  ($40, Chronicle Books, published November, 2016)

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Released in celebration of children’s book writer/illustrator Beatrix Potter’s 150th birthday, the monograph explores her life story and creative work. The book features character sketches, notebook extracts, watercolor landscapes, natural history illustrations and never-before-seen insights into Potter’s work.

‘Hokusai Pop-Ups’ by Courtney Watson McCarthy ($29.95, Thames & Hudson, published November, 2016)

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Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849), most famously known for his painting The Great Wave of Kanagawa, remains as a great art icon from the days of Art Nouveau period. Paper engineer and graphic designer Courtney Watson McCarthy offers a fresh take on his work, this time in a pop-up format.

‘Elemental Living: Contemporary Houses in Nature’ ($49.95, Phaidon, published November 2016)

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Be inspired by 60 international architectural works from the 20th and 21st centuries. The works have been conceived to interact with, and pay homage to, the particularly unique scenery that surrounds them. From moutain-top studios to jungle hideaways, home envy is guaranteed.

“Robert Rauschenberg” ($75, Museum of Modern Art, published November 2016)

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The late American painter and graphic artist, Robert Rauschenerg, who won the United State’s first Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale in 1963, is celebrated in this striking hardcover, showcasing his most influential work and related essays from a six-decade career.


 
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