Read from our edit of new and vintage books spanning art, culture and design that capture the insight and innovation of the world’s most renowned creative figures.
The Library: Art & Design Books was originally featured in both issue 41 of est magazine, Collect & Curate, and issue 43, Design Intelligence.
Casa dos Aguas by 5Solidos | Photography by Mateo Soto

The Art of Makeup
Kevyn Aucoin
In The Art of Makeup, legendary makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin collaborates with the top talents in the fashion industry to present a comprehensive collection of portraits and expert beauty tips. Captured by renowned photographers Richard Avedon, Patrick Demarchelier, Steven Meisel, Michael Thompson, and Peter Lindbergh, this visual masterpiece celebrates Aucoin's premium makeup artistry and his impact on fashion.

Pradasphere
Michael Rock for PRADA
Pradasphere by Michael Rock delves into the intricate world of Prada, showcasing archival objects that reveal the multifaceted passions of this influential designer. The book spans 30 years of Prada's journey, featuring exclusive photography that highlights the brand's design narrative and craftsmanship. Additionally, Pradasphere explores Prada's cultural impact, including advertising, architecture, and film.

Roy Lichtenstein: The Impossible Collection book
Assouline
Roy Lichtenstein: The Ultimate Collection by Assouline celebrates the enduring legacy of Lichtenstein’s comic strip-inspired paintings and witty, avant-garde style that redefined American art in the 1960s. Featuring 100 of his most memorable works selected by art historian Avis Berman, this volume includes iconic pieces like Whaam! and Drowning Girl, reinterpretations of Picasso and van Gogh, and public commissions like the Times Square Mural, making it an ideal reference for Pop Art enthusiasts.

David La Chapelle | Heaven to Hell
Ethel Seno and David Lachapelle
David LaChapelle: Heaven to Hell is the third volume in a captivating trilogy that outlines LaChapelle's evolving artistic approach and focus on celebrity and fashion. Featuring nearly twice as many bold and exclusive images as its predecessors, this collection is an authentic showcase of LaChapelle's visionary photography.

Nineteen Interventions: Arquitectura-G
Oscar Tusquets, Moisés Puente, and Sam Chermayeff
Nineteen Interventions: Arquitectura-G is the first monograph celebrating the work of the acclaimed Barcelona-based studio, marking their first decade of practice. Through over 100 full-bleed images, readers are immersed in a universe where spaces, angles, and textures merge seamlessly. With photographs by José Hevia and texts by Oscar Tusquets, Moisés Puente, and Sam Chermayeff, this volume offers a comprehensive look at the studio's innovative architectural interventions.

Richard Prince, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Nancy Spector
Organised by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, this retrospective of Richard Prince combines his photographs, paintings, sculptures, and works on paper in the most comprehensive examination of his work to date. While previous studies highlighted Prince’s influence on Postmodernist criticism, this volume also explores his work's iconography and its reflection of societal themes such as rebellion and fame.

Keith Haring
Jeffrey Deitch, Julia Gruen, Suzanne Geiss, Kenny Scharf and George Condo
Based on renowned American artist Keith Haring’s own concept for a monograph, this volume presents over a decade of research and includes unpublished photographs, drawings, and journal entries. It traces Haring’s artistic journey from New York City subway chalk drawings to international murals and collaborations, showcasing his rapid rise from a small-town artist to a revolutionary figure in art history.

David Hockney | A Bigger Book
Marc Newson

Photography – A Feminist History
Emma Lewis
Photography – A Feminist History explores the intersection of photographic developments and evolving gender rights, highlighting how photography has documented women's movements and highlighted their causes. This insightful book also examines how various feminist perspectives have shaped our understanding of photographs, offering a comprehensive look at the role of photography in the fight for gender equality.

Charlotte Perriand: The Modern Life
Justin Mcguirk
Charlotte Perriand: The Modern Life delves into the architect and pioneer of modernism's design evolution, shifting from creating modular furniture systems to undertaking major architectural projects like the Les Arcs ski resort. This book outlines Perriand's journey as a woman in architecture and design and how her work has evolved to become extremely coveted by art collectors.

Stop Painting
Peter Fischli
Conceived by artist Peter Fischli for Fondazione Prada’s Venice premises, Stop Painting investigates the persistence of painting in the 21st century. This project, described by Fischli as 'a kaleidoscope of repudiated gestures,' explores five major ruptures in the history of painting over the past 150 years. Through these explorations, Stop Painting offers a comprehensive examination of painting's evolution and ongoing relevance.

Weathering Time
Nancy Floyd
In Weathering Time, Nancy Floyd documents her life by photographing herself daily since 1982. On days she misses, she advances the film to create a blank image, forming a unique visual calendar that captures the passage of time, insightfully recording shifts in fashion, lifestyles and technology.

Japanese Design Since 1945
Naomi Pollock
Japanese Design Since 1945 explores Japan's enduring commitment to craftsmanship, functionality, and material understanding, deeply rooted in its historic traditions. This dedication has fostered timeless innovations in materials, form, and technology, producing objects that are both aesthetically pleasing and highly functional.

Rem Koolhaas, Oma + Amo / Spaces For Prada
Benjamin Wilke and Rem Koolhaas
Rem Koolhaas, OMA + AMO / Spaces For Prada is the latest addition to the series, delving into the enduring collaboration between OMA – the Office for Metropolitan Architecture – and Prada. This volume explores how their partnership has evolved while maintaining its core objectives, focusing on the intricate dynamics of architect-client relationships. The book highlights various installation-scale projects designed for Prada, including runway shows and exhibitions, and showcases OMA's innovative approach to ephemeral architecture.

Gray Malin: The Essential Collection
Gray Malin
Gray Malin: The Essential Collection commemorates the first decade of Gray Malin's photography career. This comprehensive volume showcases beloved images from his iconic shoots alongside never-before-seen material. Each collection is accompanied by stories of its creation, inviting readers into Malin's colourful world and transforming everyday moments into visual and virtual retreats.

Tom Ford 002
Tom Ford and Bridget Foley
Tom Ford 002 celebrates the enduring legacy of iconic American designer Tom Ford. Following his groundbreaking debut monograph in 2004, this second volume pays homage to Ford's eponymous brand, established in 2005. From cosmetics and eyewear to menswear and acclaimed womenswear, the book captures Ford's distinctive blend of glamour and boldness.

Rooms: Steven Volpe
Steven Volpe and Mayer Rus
Rooms: Steven Volpe explores the design philosophy of Steven Volpe, blending minimalist aesthetics with an eye for authenticity. Known for juxtaposing eighteenth-century pieces with modern art and mid-century furniture, Volpe creates rich, modern interiors that defy traditional boundaries. This book showcases ten of his recent projects, ranging from New York City penthouses to California modernist homes.
Casa dos Aguas by 5Solidos | Photography by Mateo Soto



