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.”

At the dawn of the Victorian era in her open-air laboratory in Halstead, Kent, Anna Atkins embarked on a radical experiment to document botanical species using a completely new artistic medium. The inimitable cyanotype photograms of algae and ferns she created were made into the first books to feature photographic images. Striking yet ethereal, these albums are a perfect synthesis of art and science.Although the cyanotype technique was discovered by her friend John Herschel, Atkins was the first to realize both its practical purpose for own her interests in botany and taxonomy, and its intriguing artistic potential.

This book celebrates the 1925 Paris Exposition—at its centenary—a landmark event that shaped twentieth-century design and gave its name to Art Deco. The exposition dazzled over sixteen million visitors during its run, showcasing the pinnacle of French luxury goods and design innovation. Renowned as the preeminent exponent of French Art Deco, Ruhlmann (1879–1933) was recognized for the aesthetic refinement, luxurious materials, and impeccable craftsmanship of his creations. Inspired by eighteenth-century pleasure pavilions, Ruhlmann’s pavilion, L’Hôtel du Collectionneur (The Town House of the Collector), was one of the most admired exhibits at the fair. Conceived as a modern-day Trianon, it was filled with his own sumptuous furnishings together with a meticulous selection of objets d’art by his contemporaries, including Edgar Brandt, Jean Dunand, and Jean Puiforcat.

Dazzling, award-winning, and immensely livable homes are presented here by the world-renowned firm, famous for having played such a large role in the creation of the Miami Vice look, but whose work is so much wider ranging, and which now extends across the globe—from Miami to Singapore, London to Toronto, Luxembourg to Ho Chi Minh City. Highlights include the Ellipse, a delightful oval tower on the Jersey City, New Jersey, waterfront with prime Hudson River and Manhattan views, as well as the Aquavista, in Toronto, which boasts an extraordinary array of jutting terrace-balconies and bright interior spaces flooded with light. By seamlessly merging cutting-edge technology, sustainable practices, and bold artistic vision, Arquitectonica has redefined the possibilities of residential architecture. Their work not only elevates urban living but also affirms a commitment to creating vibrant, livable spaces that inspire communities worldwide.

Celebrating 10 years of publishing the finest interior design and decorative arts, Cabana Anthology: The Anniversary Edition is a stunning showcase of the most impressive and influential styles featured in the cult interiors magazine in its first decade. This sublime book delves into the stories behind a multitude of stunning interiors, offering insights from the designers, collectors, and artists who have contributed to Cabana’s legacy of true artistry and craftsmanship. Founded by editor-in-chief Martina Mondadori along with designer Christoph Radl and publisher Gianluca Reina in 2014, Cabana aims to inspire a new generation of globetrotters, taking them on a journey through sophistication, obsessive collecting, colors, and fabrics. This stunning volume features the very best photography, interviews, profiles, and features from the publication, with contributions from Carlos Mota, Marco Mansi, and Marian McEvoy, and photographers Miguel Flores-Vianna, Guido Taroni, Mark Luscombe Whyte, Tim Walker, and Joanna MacLennan, among many others.