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The Spanish painter Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida (1863-1923) understood like no other of his time how to encompass the light of the South in color and to capture the fleeting moment in his own special way with light-dark contrasts as well as modern color compositions. He was a passionate artist and loving family man. He often painted outdoors until he was physically exhausted, in order to depict the full beauty of nature with all its light conditions. Joy and sorrow often lay close together. Nevertheless, the profession of an artist was the only real choice for him: orphaned at the age of two, he was to become a locksmith like his foster father—but when Sorolla's drawing talent came to light, he was allowed to attend the drawing class at the School of Arts and Crafts and later the Academy of Fine Arts in Valencia. Again and again he traveled through Europe, he studied in Rome and experienced the zeitgeist of the Parisian impressionist scene. Initially, he painted socially critical everyday scenes and historical themes in muted colors, but his color palette and content brightened over time. With sun-flooded paintings he left his mark on Spanish Impressionism and impressed contemporaries such as for example Claude Monet (1840-1926). From 1911 onwards, he put all his energy into the ambitious commission of the Hispanic Society of America, which envisaged presenting Spain in 14 large-format paintings. In doing so, he placed his own artistic development behind the service of his fatherland. He painted the Vision of Spain for eight years and suffered a stroke in 1919, shortly after completion. Sorolla was one of the most important and commercially successful artists of the turn of the century.

Scandinavia-a fascinating region that encompasses Europe's northern countries from Iceland, Norway and Denmark, to Sweden and Finland. In the short, green summers it hardly ever gets dark and in the long, white winters it rarely gets light. Dancing Northern Lights in the firmament are among the attractions of the north, as is the midsummer night, which with its uniquely enchanting light makes the breathtaking natural environment appear in all its beauty. The untouched landscapes of Scandinavia are considered the last wilderness on the continent. In order to maintain this extraordinary and species-rich diversity of Mother Nature, Sweden founded Europe's first national park in 1909. To date, Scandinavia counts around 125 of them: three in Iceland, five in Denmark, 30 in Sweden, 40 in Finland and 47 in Norway. Among them are names like SnfellsjOkull, Folgefonna, Hardangervidda, Spitsbergen, Riisitunturi, Oulanka, Jotunheimen, Sarek or Abisko. Whether it is extensive tundras, with reindeer herds passing by, dense pine, spruce or birch forests where moose hide, diverse moors and idyllic lakes, fjords reaching far into the country, mighty mountain ranges, thundering waterfalls, thick glacier tongues, polar bears on icy slopes or deep snow-covered, tree-lined or fjell landscapes-Scandinavia's varied and lonely Arctic nature is one of the most beautiful areas on earth. Once again, this illustrated book shows that these unique landscapes must be preserved.

Vincent Willem van Gogh

Alsace is a region with a unique identity. Located in the heart of Europe, it borders Germany and Switzerland in the north-east of France. The region boasts an exceptional historical and cultural heritage including numerous churches, craftsmen's houses and half-timbered houses, as well as Vauban fortifications and the largest concentration of castles in France, including the famous Haut-Koenigsbourg. The wine route winds its way through the Alsatian landscape, lined with small, picturesque villages. The historic centres among vineyards and forests inspire visitors with their picturesque architecture. In addition to its cultural wealth, it also offers places of scenic interest. Five nature reserves and the imposing Vosges massif, which extends to Lorraine and the Moselle department, open up thousands of kilometres of hiking trails, where all nature lovers will be delighted.

For thousands of years and in many cultures people have been inspired by mosaics. Whether the stylistically reduced pebble mosaics of the Greeks or the golden splendor of the Byzantine churches--their stylistic diversity is just as great as the diversity of the materials used. With more than 200 illustrations, this volume shows the impressive range of this art form.

Iceland's spectacular landscape is characterized by volcanism and abundance of water. Volcanoes, geysers, thermal springs, and lava fields are typical for the Nordic island state. This illustrated book shows more than 350 images of glaciers, rugged peaks, weathered coastline, and Icelandic fjords.

Classical on account of his subjects, modern on account of his sense of composition, color, and light, the Nabis painter Pierre Bonnard (1867-1947) followed his path away from the great currents and movements of the first half of the twentieth century. In more than 250 landscapes, portraits, self-portraits, female nudes, interior scenes, and still lifes, this monograph gathers most of the artist's work.

Art Nouveau developed a new, international style in architecture and handicrafts from the 1880s onward, which sought to replace the forms of historicism with plant ornamentation and functional construction. This comprehensive reform of the arts produced rich floral ornaments in Paris and Brussels and became an expression of national identity in Barcelona. This volume illuminates the origins of this current and its manifestations in France, Belgium, and Spain.

Chaim Soutine was an eccentric both in life and on the canvas. His wild painting style inspired many younger artists and leaves no one who sees his work today cold. His path led from a shtetl in the Russian Empire to Paris, from bitter poverty to the heights of artistic success. His works include shocking still lifes, unbounded landscapes, and solemn portraits of people getting by in dark times.

Painting from 1200 to 1500 is a mirror of its time, marked by deep religiousness as well as progressive tendencies, by economic prosperity as well as devastating wars and epidemics. A religious perspective is joined by secular themes and efforts to achieve a realistic way of representation. These developments take place in book illumination, which is accessible to rather few people, as well as in the public medium of frescoes and, since 1300, also in panel paintings. With nearly 500 works, Gothic 1200-1500 gives an overview of the visual art of the time.

The artistic work of Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1880–1938) is considered a milestone of international modernism and the climax of German Expressionism. This volume documents the development of the multi-faceted oeuvre from the epoch-making nudes of the early Dresden years to the nervously vibrant Berlin metropolitan images, the depictions of the Davos mountains, and the abstract tendencies of the late work.

The mountainous northern region, the flooded landscapes of the northeast during the rainy season, and the fertile agricultural land in the interior, irrigated by the Chao Phraya River, represent only a part of Thailand's special diversity. In addition there is the lively capital Bangkok and the dream beaches in the extreme south with the offshore islands in the Gulf of Thailand. More than 500 pictures show the country in all its beauty, which is influenced by Buddhism.

From the earliest examples of national art at the beginning of the nineteenth century and the romantic seascapes of Aivasovsky, to the great Realists such as Ilya Repin and the innovators of the Russian avant-garde, Russian painting offers a wealth of works of art to rediscover. Grandiose landscapes, haunting portraits, and exciting artistic experiments--hardly any other artistic nation offers a comparable variety of styles and artistic personalities. This book presents an overview of the most important Russian paintings, with more than 450 works.

The illustrated book Small Interiors shows the variety and style of small living areas in more than 450 illustrations.

The precious collection of paintings has established the Hermitage's reputation as one of the most important museums in the world, but the architectural ensemble on the banks of the Neva is also a masterpiece of world architecture. This magical triad of important paintings, treasures from around the world, and architecture attracts an ever-growing stream of visitors each year to St. Petersburg, a city full of wonders shaped by its rich history.

The illustrated book Smart & Small Interiors shows in more than 300 impressive images the variety of designs of small living areas.