Art Gallery of New South Wales

Magritte is published in association with a major survey of the work of the pioneering Belgian surrealist artist at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney. René Magritte (1948–1967) is renowned for his thought-provoking and enigmatic paintings that challenge the viewer's perception of reality. His exploration of the subconscious and the juxtaposition of ordinary objects in surreal contexts have left an indelible mark on the art world, influencing generations of artists and thinkers. The exhibition is the first Magritte retrospective to be presented in Australia and includes approximately 100 artworks drawn from public and private collections in the Asia–Pacific, Europe and the United States. The accompanying book provides an engaging, accessible and in-depth survey of Magritte’s practice, giving audiences insights into the evolution of his art from the early 1920s until his final works of the 1960s. The book features reproductions of the 100+ works in the exhibition alongside rarely seen archival materials, commercial work and photography. The images are accompanied by four essays and an interview with Magritte (originally recorded for Belgian television in 1965), which together offer nuanced perspectives on the aesthetic foundations of his work while also considering the social and artistic context for his practice. An essay by the curator of Magritte, Nicholas Chambers, leads us through the arc of the exhibition, revealing the artist’s extraordinary capacity for innovation and reinvention. Xavier Canonne, an expert on Belgian surrealism, focuses on the artist’s milieux during the formative period of the 1920s. Natalie Dupecher, associate curator of modern art at the Menil Collection in Houston, picks up the story in the 1930s and considers the reception and promotion of Magritte’s art outside of Europe. And Belgian art historian Julie Waseige reflects on a key, underlying theme of the artist’s practice: his remarkable use of humour. Additionally, an extensive illustrated chronology compiled by Tai Spruyt charts the artist’s eventful life and career.

Reproduces outstanding works of art by the great Dutch masters, including Rembrandt and Vermeer. At the time, the art of the 17th-century Dutch Republic was admired and sought after far beyond the country’s borders. To this day, works by painters such as Rembrandt, Frans Hals and Johannes Vermeer are among the most prized in many museums. The outstanding quality, wholly individual character of the art and the huge output of paintings and prints in this period are unique in history. This book introduces the work of the greatest artists of the Dutch golden age, an era of unparalleled wealth, power and cultural confidence. It presents a vivid and compelling panorama of a place and period, from tranquil landscapes, symbol-laden still-lifes, the colourful life of the cities and the characters of the people to maritime power. Beautifully illustrated and designed, and written in an engaging and accessible style, it enlightens readers on the artists, the art and the times, reproducing some seventyeight artworks by some fifty artists, organized thematically.

With the backdrop of 1950s New York and its burgeoning advertising industry, Adman focuses on the formative years of one of the twentieth century's most influential artists, Andy Warhol. Essays by Warhol scholars and other experts in their fields provide surprising insights into the beginning of Warhol's career, from his award-winning work as a commercial illustrator to his first, little-known exhibitions. With more than 250 illustrations including rare drawings and photographs, vintage advertisements, artist books, and archival material, Adman explores this early phase of Andy Warhol's art practice and his career inadvertising between 1949 and 1961. The typography of Warhol's mother, Julia Warhola, is also featured. The book is published in association with The Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh.