Reading Art: Art for Book Lovers

A celebration of artworks featuring books and readers from throughout history, for the delight of art lovers and bibliophiles

As every book tells a story, every book in art is part of an intriguing, engaging, and relatable image. Books are depicted as indicators of intellect in portraits, as symbols of piety in religious paintings, as subjects in still lifes, and as the raw material for contemporary installations. Reading Art spotlights artworks from museums and collections around the globe, creating a gorgeous, inspiring homage to both the written word and to its pivotal role in the visual world.

David Trigg is a critic and art writer based in Bristol. He is a regular contributor to Phaidon books and has written articles and reviews for publications including Art Monthly, ArtReview, Frieze, and Art Papers. He has a PhD in Art History from the University of Bristol and is a member of the International Association of Art Critics.