ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Connaissance des Arts Recommends Five Summer Reads for Art Lovers

publication · 2026-07-20

Connaissance des Arts has published a curated list of five books for summer reading, blending art history, biography, and narrative. The selection includes: 'La Reine de Mai' by NéO (pseudonym of Nicolas d'Estienne d'Orves), a novel about a hedonistic art forger and Don Juan; 'Heures sauvages' by Marie Petitcuénot, recounting Marina Abramović's 1974 performance in Naples where she risked her life; 'Compter les jours' by Alain Veinstein, a painter and radio host's diary of creating during the COVID-19 pandemic; 'Auguste Renoir' by Ambroise Vollard, a 1921 dialogue between the dealer and the Impressionist master; and 'Voyage en Asie à bord du SY Nirvana' by Martine de Béhague, recounting her 1908 journey to China and Japan. The books are published by Albin Michel, Héloïse d'Ormesson, Seuil/Fiction & Cie, Éditions de Paris, and Éditions Le Charmoiset, with prices ranging from €16 to €23.

Key facts

  • NéO's 'La Reine de Mai' features an art forger and Don Juan named Tobias Gantzer.
  • Marie Petitcuénot's 'Heures sauvages' details Marina Abramović's 1974 performance in Naples.
  • Alain Veinstein's 'Compter les jours' is a diary of painting during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Ambroise Vollard's 'Auguste Renoir' is a 1921 dialogue with the painter.
  • Martine de Béhague's 'Voyage en Asie à bord du SY Nirvana' recounts her 1908 trip to China and Japan.
  • The books are published by Albin Michel, Héloïse d'Ormesson, Seuil/Fiction & Cie, Éditions de Paris, and Éditions Le Charmoiset.
  • Prices range from €16 to €23.
  • The article was published on Connaissance des Arts.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • Connaissance des Arts
  • Albin Michel
  • Héloïse d'Ormesson
  • Seuil/Fiction & Cie
  • Éditions de Paris
  • Éditions Le Charmoiset

Locations

  • Naples
  • Italy
  • Paris
  • France
  • Blois
  • China
  • Japan
  • Asia

Sources