BELLAS ARTES

The Kisokaido route through Japan was ordained in the early 1600s by the country’s then-ruler Tokugawa Ieyasu, who decreed that staging posts be installed along the length of the arduous passage between Edo (present-day Tokyo) and Kyoto. Inns, shops, and restaurants were established to provide sustenance and lodging to weary travelers. In 1835, renowned woodblock print artist Keisai Eisen was commissioned to create a series of works to chart the Kisokaido journey. After producing 24 prints, Eisen was replaced by Utagawa Hiroshige, who completed the series of 70 prints in 1838.

From a small, picturesque farmhouse in the rich fields and meadows of Normandy, David Hockney followed the changing seasons across 2020 and into the new year. He used his iPad to spontaneously depict impressions of the landscape surrounding him, catching the first spring blossoms, the smell of summer, the saturated colors of autumn, and the stark shapes of dark branches in winter time. The 220 (plus four bonus) iPad paintings in this book are printed with six colors to match the richness of the artist’s vision. A short introduction by Hockney reveals how this planned project became a lifeline during the COVID lockdown, from which he spread his message of hope: “Remember they can’t cancel the spring.”

Demarchelier was known for his ability to capture a subject’s beauty and charm in a natural way, often without ornate settings. His exquisite and timeless fashion portraits graced the pages of Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, and Glamour, with ad campaigns for Dior, Louis Vuitton, YSL, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, and have featured such high-profile subjects as Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, Karen Elson, and Nicole Kidman. Demarchelier is perhaps best known for his intimate portraits of Princess Diana that helped establish her popularity and accessible public image. Designed by the legendary art director Fabien Baron, the book simultaneously celebrates Demarchelier’s remarkable legacy as one of the most influential fashion photographers of the past forty-five years (he passed away in 2022) and offers a fresh perspective with never-before-seen photos. While his published images often feature polished, high-fashion aesthetics, capturing the glamour and elegance of the fashion world, the unpublished ones reveal a more intimate, raw, and unfiltered side of his artistry. These unseen photos offer a glimpse into Demarchelier’s creative process, showcasing moments of spontaneity and experimentation. Additionally, these unpublished images often reflect a broader range of subjects, moods, and settings, highlighting his versatility and depth as a photographer beyond his signature fashion shoots.