History & Criticism

A ‘Sleeping Beauty’ is a brilliant idea that is ahead of its time. So many breakthroughs in arts or science were like this, lost on their initial audience and only later revived and acknowledged to be great. This book asks, why do some ideas fall asleep? And how do they wake up? We love to...

World-renowned curator Hans Ulrich Obrist for the first time grants a private view of his life, and his journey towards art and artists When Hans Ulrich was six years old, he was knocked down by a speeding car as he was crossing the street. Hospitalized for weeks, a sense of urgency was...

From the Pulitzer Prize-winning co-author of Billion Dollar Whale and Blood and Oil, and co-host of the Whale Hunting podcast, comes a dazzling true story of how a lost masterpiece came home and of the remarkable, flawed man who made it happen. British art dealer Oliver Hoare had spent his life...

Bloomsbury presents The Love of Analog: Meditations on Value by Darren Hudson Hick read by John Chancer Vinyl records. Board games. Paperback books. Film. A philosopher dives into the analog world to show what it offers us and what it says about our values. Packed with first-person anecdotes...

Bloomsbury presents Mad Enchantment by Ross King, read by Mark Meadows Claude Monet’s water lily paintings are among the most iconic and beloved works of art of the past century. Yet these entrancing images were created at a time of terrible private turmoil and sadness for the artist. The...

The groundbreaking biography of Booker Prize-winning novelist and art historian Anita Brookner, from one of our leading literary biographers. Hermione Lee reveals the full story of a brilliant, idiosyncratic and complex woman and goes deep into Anita Brookner’s marvellous work in all its...

'Groundbreaking' KATY HESSEL 'Lively and passionate' SIR ANTONY GORMLEY 'A revelation' KATE BRYAN For forty thousand years, we have been carving and moulding, shaping and chiselling, feeling our way and sensing our place in the world through sculpture. In this accessible, story-led journey into...

In Art, painter, critic, and modern-art advocate Walter Pach examines the uneasy state of American visual culture in the early twentieth century. Pach argues that wealthy collectors and museums too often treat art as a prestige commodity, pouring money into established European masterpieces...

A Pulitzer Prize Winner and landmark book from one of the truly original scholars of our time: a magnificent revelation of turn-of-the-century Vienna where out of a crisis of political and social disintegration so much of modern art and thought was born. "Not only is it a splendid exploration of...

A dazzling journey through 500 years of art, ideas and human imagination, told through one of the most enduring and versatile artistic mediums ever created - the woodcut. At its simplest, a woodcut begins with a piece of wood, a cutting tool, ink and paper. Yet from these humble materials...

Explore the evolution of human creativity from prehistoric cave walls to modern screens in this vivid art history. Perfect for an inspiring daily commute or a contemplative weekend listen, this immersive narrative reveals how we capture reality, emotion, and power in color. Follow visionary...

Delve into art history and human evolution, tracing our ancient drive to create from torchlit caves to glowing screens. This evocative chronicle bypasses elite catalogues to reveal a grounded, deeply human story of innovation. You will meet the anonymous weavers, carvers, and everyday...

Trace the captivating cultural history of adornment to see how ancient artifacts and royal gems shaped human evolution. Perfect for an educational commute, this immersive listening experience transforms simple ornaments into powerful records of belief, status, and identity. Whether you are...

Uncover the epic social history of civilization through our intimate fascination with glittering cultural artifacts. Perfect for your daily commute or a relaxing weekend of learning, this sweeping journey transforms simple adornments into a language of human connection. Discover why we trust...

Explore immersive art history and human evolution as ancient creators transform unyielding stone into divine masterpieces. Perfect for your morning commute or a focused session of deep learning, this historical journey vividly engages your inner eye. Feel the tactile grit of Ice Age rock...