ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

10 Must-Read Art Books from 2019

publication · 2026-04-27

Artribune Magazine's #52 issue presents a curated selection of ten notable art books published in 2019. The list includes Catherine Grenier's biography of Alberto Giacometti, published by Johan & Levi, which delves into the Swiss-born Italian artist's life in Paris. Luca Nannipieri's 'Capolavori rubati' (Skira) examines high-profile art thefts, from Munch's 'The Scream' to Caravaggio's 'Nativity', and the lucrative black market. Sunzi's 'The Art of War' gets a graphic novel adaptation by Pete Katz (L'Ippocampo). Manuela De Leonardis edits 'Il sangue delle donne' (Postmedia Books), a participatory project on menstruation featuring artists Maïmouna Guerresi, Silvia Levenson, Florencia Martinez, and Virginia Ryan. Mario Gerosa's debut novel 'Il collezionista di respiri' (Falsopiano) is a thriller set in the art world. The Victoria and Albert Museum and fashion curator Claire Wilcox contribute to 'Frida Kahlo' (Rizzoli). Elmgreen & Dragset's sculptures are catalogued in a monograph by Hatje Cantz. Beat Streuli's 'Fabric of Reality' (Lars Müller) documents urban landscapes from Marseille to Phnom Penh. Nanda Vigo's 'Giovani e rivoluzionari' (Mimesis) offers memoirs of Milan's cultural scene. Finally, 'Lisetta Carmi. Genova 1960 1970' (Humboldt Books) presents the photographer's documentation of Genoa's transformation.

Key facts

  • Catherine Grenier's biography of Alberto Giacometti is published by Johan & Levi.
  • Luca Nannipieri's 'Capolavori rubati' covers art thefts including Munch's 'The Scream' and Caravaggio's 'Nativity'.
  • Sunzi's 'The Art of War' is adapted as a graphic novel by Pete Katz.
  • Manuela De Leonardis edits 'Il sangue delle donne' with artists Maïmouna Guerresi, Silvia Levenson, Florencia Martinez, and Virginia Ryan.
  • Mario Gerosa's novel 'Il collezionista di respiri' is a thriller about art made from human bodies.
  • Claire Wilcox and Circe Henestrosa edit 'Frida Kahlo' published by Rizzoli in association with the Victoria and Albert Museum.
  • Elmgreen & Dragset's sculptures are collected in a monograph by Hatje Cantz.
  • Beat Streuli's 'Fabric of Reality' features photographs from Marseille to Phnom Penh.
  • Nanda Vigo's 'Giovani e rivoluzionari' recalls performances at the Triennale in 1973.
  • Lisetta Carmi's 'Genova 1960 1970' documents Genoa's urban transformation.

Entities

Artists

  • Alberto Giacometti
  • Catherine Grenier
  • Luca Nannipieri
  • Sunzi
  • Pete Katz
  • Manuela De Leonardis
  • Maïmouna Guerresi
  • Silvia Levenson
  • Florencia Martinez
  • Virginia Ryan
  • Mario Gerosa
  • Claire Wilcox
  • Circe Henestrosa
  • Frida Kahlo
  • Michael Elmgreen
  • Ingar Dragset
  • Beat Streuli
  • Nanda Vigo
  • Lisetta Carmi
  • Franco Battiato
  • Mariangela Melato
  • Gian Maria Volonté

Institutions

  • Johan & Levi
  • Skira
  • L'Ippocampo
  • Postmedia Books
  • Falsopiano
  • Rizzoli
  • Victoria and Albert Museum
  • Hatje Cantz
  • Lars Müller
  • Mimesis
  • Humboldt Books
  • Artribune Magazine
  • Fondation Giacometti
  • Fondazione Nicola Trussardi
  • Triennale di Milano

Locations

  • Paris
  • Milan
  • Galleria Vittorio Emanuele
  • Marseille
  • Phnom Penh
  • Genoa
  • London

Sources