In 2025, the arts publishing world will offer an extraordinary array of books that invite readers to explore the lives and legacies of groundbreaking artists, visionary collectors, and transformative movements. From John Singer Sargent’s formative years in Paris to Ruth Asawa’s groundbreaking sculptures, this curated list highlights the individuals, cultures and people who shaped the art world and stories of historical power. Blending scholarly insights with engaging narrative, these books offer fresh perspectives on icons such as Georgia O’Keeffe, Caravaggio, and Leonardo da Vinci, while celebrating Shazia Sikan The innovative spirit of contemporary figures such as Germany.
As an avid reader of art books, I’m especially excited to delve into these books—which promise to inspire, challenge, and deepen our understanding of art and its lasting impact. Whether you are drawn to the glorious world of Gilded Age collectors or the spiritual power of Caravaggio’s final masterpieces, these books are more than just beautiful additions to your bookshelf, they are a great way to understand the creativity that defines the world’s legacy of art, A window into resilience and ambition. I can’t wait to share this journey with you.
Sargent and Paris Author: Stephanie L. Hedrich
Stephanie Hedrich has meticulously researched John Singer Sargent’s formative years in Paris, a city that profoundly influenced his development and rise in the art world. This work offers new insights into how Sargent’s experiences in Paris shaped his masterful approach to portraiture and social observation, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of place and artistic identity. The traveling exhibition will be on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York (April 27-August 3, 2025) and the Musée d’Orsay in Paris (September 22-January 11, 2026).
Ruth Asawa: A Retrospective Edited by Janet Bishop and Karamanes
In this comprehensive retrospective study, Bishop and Maness capture the breadth of Ruth Asawa’s innovative and wide-ranging career, from her exquisite wire sculptures to her transformative public works. The author provides us with an in-depth understanding of Asawa’s creative process and legacy, bringing Asawa’s legacy to life and emphasizing her role as a pioneering figure in 20th-century American art. Related traveling exhibitions will be held at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (April 5 to September 2, 2025), the Museum of Modern Art in New York (October 19, 2025 to February 7, 2026), and the Bilbao Gugen Han Museum, Spain (March 20 to September 13, 2026) and Fondation Beyeler in Rijn/Basel, Switzerland (October 18, 2026 to January 24, 2027).
Georgia O’Keeffe: Late Works Author: Randall C. Griffin
Griffin’s study of O’Keeffe’s later work is a revelation, opening up new dimensions for the iconic American modernist as he grappled with age and creative evolution. Through thoughtful analysis, Griffin illuminates the quiet power of O’Keeffe’s late artistic expression, making this book a must-read for those fascinated by her enduring legacy and her creativity.
The last caravaggio Author: Francesca Whitlam-Cooper
Whitlam-Cooper’s research Martyrdom of Saint Ursula“Caravaggio’s Last Masterpiece” delves into themes of death, spirituality, and Caravaggio’s ever-changing stylistic innovations. By combining historical insight and careful analysis, Whitlam-Cooper reveals Caravaggio’s legacy and illuminates the artist’s bold approach to complex subject matter.
Leonardo da Vinci: an untraceable life Author: Stephen J. Campbell
Campbell’s An untraceable life is a bold reassessment of Leonardo da Vinci, challenging the myths surrounding one of history’s most iconic figures. Campbell’s deft recontextualization of Leonardo as a deeply human contemporary artist rather than a distant genius will be of interest to those attracted to the nuances of Renaissance art. A thought-provoking read.
Shazia Sikander Jason Rosenfield
Rosenfeld’s sweeping portrait of Shahzia Sikander demonstrates an artist whose work bridges continents, histories, and artistic traditions. He captures Sikander’s journey from Lahore to New York with nuanced insight, revealing an artist who redefined the possibilities of contemporary art and left a lasting mark on the global art world.
The Frick Collection: An American Family and the Evolution of Taste during the Gilded Age Author: Ian Wardropper, with foreword by Julian Fellowes
Wardropper’s examination of the story of the Frick family’s collecting is an illuminating study of taste and ambition at the height of the Gilded Age. With elegant prose and meticulous detail, he charts the Frick family’s evolving vision, giving readers a glimpse into the making of one of America’s most exquisite collections and a cornerstone of our cultural heritage.
Megan Fox Kelly is the show’s host Understand the art worlda live interview and podcast series with leading writers from the arts world. These conversations explore timely topics in the worlds of art, design, architecture, artists and the art market, and are an opportunity to further engage with the minds behind these insightful new publications. Listen to Podcast Spotify and apple.
