Spanish artist Francisco Goya (1746-1828) was fascinated by reading, and Goya's attention to the act and consequences of literacy-apparent in some of his most ambitious, groundbreaking creations-is related to the reading revolution in which he participated. It was an unprecedented growth both in the number of readers and in the quantity and diversity of texts available, accompanied by a profound shift in the way they were consumed and, for the artist, represented. Goya and the Mystery of Reading studies the way Goya's work heralds the emergence of a new kind of viewer, one who he assumes can and does read, and whose comportment as a skilled interpreter of signs alters the sense of his art, multiplying its potential for meaning. While the reading revolution resulted from and contributed to the momentous social transformations of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, Goya and the Mystery of Reading explains how this transition can be tracked in the work of Goya, an artist who aimed not to copy the world around him, but to read it.

Van Gogh’s sublime artistry comes alive in this luxuriously packaged volume that features a canvas cover, impeccable reproductions of all the major works, and forty-eight extra pages on six fold-out spreads.

From the iconic Starry Night to sunflowers and irises that radiate with vibrant hues; from an emotionally charged depiction of his bedroom to his intense and evocative portrayal of a café interior; this lavish volume showcases the breadth and depth of Van Gogh’s artistic vision. In addition to sixty of the painter’s major works, the book reproduces six of Van Gogh’s essential masterpieces in the form of giant fold-outs.

Accompanied by detailed descriptions, the oversized gatefolds enable readers to experience these works in their entirety, from the smallest details to the dynamic brushwork, from bold colors to carefully arranged compositions.

With each turn of the page, this book unfolds Van Gogh’s artistic journey in Arles, Saint-Rémy, and Auvers-sur-Oise, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the brilliance of his greatest paintings and providing the ideal companion for art enthusiasts, students, and anyone seeking a deeper connection to the work of one of the most influential figures in art history.

This collection aims to map a diversity of approaches to the artform by creating a 360° view on the circus. Three sections of the book, Aesthetics, Practice, Culture, approach aesthetic developments, issues of artistic practice, and the circus’ role within society. This book consists of a collection of articles from renowned circus researchers, junior researchers, and artists. It also provides the core statements and discussions of the conference UpSideDown—Circus and Space in a graphic recording format. Hence, it allows a clear entry into the field of circus research and emphasizes the diversity of approaches that are well balanced between theoretical and artistic point of views. This book will be of great interest to students and scholars of circus studies, emerging disciples of circus and performance.