French artist Edgar Degas was famous for his drawing, painting, sculpture and printmaking. Although a member of the Impressionists, with Monet, Pissaro and Renoir his work focused on indoor subjects, particularly his acutely observed pieces on ballerinas. His masterful studies of real life resonate still today and he remains one of the most popular painters in the world. This beautiful new book showcases all of his major works (including Ballet Rehearsal, The Star and The Ballet Class), with detailed captions, and a long essay on life, art and influences.

Bringing to life the gorgeous, inspiring art of Monet, Manet, Renoir, Pissarro and their group, Impressionists takes the reader back to Nineteenth Century Paris to explore one of the most influential, and popular art movements in the history of painting. A careful selection of the period's most enduring artworks sits alongside some lesser known, but equally impressive images to convey the spirit and passion of the era.

Art Nouveau Posters

by Michael Robinson

Published 20 August 2012
Part of a new series of beautiful gift art books, 100 Art Nouveau Posters is as vivacious and optimistic as the period from which it derives its power to appeal, the Fin de Siècle. Combining advertising and art, by artists such as Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Alphonse Mucha and Jules Chéret, these beautiful posters offer an intriguing view of a society revelling in its new-found sophistication. With a fresh and thoughtful introduction to the movement and its posters, the book goes on to showcase the key works in all their glory.

Arts & Crafts: Masterpieces of Art is a celebration of the design movement that spread rapidly around the world at the end of the nineteenth century. Depicting both well-known and unusual artworks, textile patterns and decorations from this most fascinating of eras, this book provides a wealth of information about the lives and times of the designers, architects and artists who created them, from Voysey and Morris to Lindsay Butterfield.

William Morris was an outstanding character of many talents, being an architect, writer, social campaigner, artist and, with his Kelmscott Press, an important figure of the Arts and Crafts movement. Many of us probably know him best, however, from his superb furnishings and textile designs, intricately weaving together natural motifs in a highly stylized two-dimensional fashion influenced by medieval conventions. William Morris Masterpieces of Art offers a survey of his life and work alongside some of his finest decorative work.

Woodblock printing is a traditional artistic medium in Japan most renowned for its use in ukiyo-e or 'floating world' prints. Both moving and mesmerising, this medium captures scenes with considerable atmosphere and vibrancy whether it be crashing waves, autumn leaves or serene waterfalls. Beginning with a fresh and thoughtful introduction to Japanese woodblock art, Japanese Woodblocks Masterpieces of Art goes on to showcase key works by artists such as Katsuhika Hokusai and Ando Hiroshige.