In 2025, the world of art publishing offers an incredible array of books that invite readers to explore the lives and legacies of leading artists, collectors of ideas and dynamic movements. From John Singer Sargent’s formative years in Paris to the sculptures of Ruth Asawa, this curated list highlights stories that illuminate the personal, cultural and historical forces that shape the art world. These books mix scholarly insight with exciting stories, offering new perspectives on icons such as Georgia O’Keeffe, Caravaggio and Leonardo da Vinci, while celebrating the creative spirit of modern figures such as Shahzia Sikander.
As an avid reader of art books, I’m excited to dive into these titles—they promise to inspire, challenge and deepen our understanding of art and its enduring impact. Whether you’re drawn to the glittering world of Gilded Age collectors or the spiritual drive of Caravaggio’s final masterpieces, these volumes are more than a beautiful addition to your shelves—they’re windows to the ingenuity, tenacity, and ambition that define the art world’s legacy. . I can’t wait to share this journey with you.
Sargent and Paris by Stephanie L. Herdrich
Stephanie Herdrich provides a meticulously researched account of John Singer Sargent’s formative years in Paris, a city that greatly influenced his development and artistic development. This work provides new insights into how Sargent’s Parisian experiences changed his artistic approach to portraiture and public perception, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the intersections of geography and artistic identity. The traveling exhibition will be seen at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (April 27–August 3, 2025) and the Musée d’Orsay, Paris (September 22, 2025–January 11, 2026).
Ruth Asawa: Looking back edited by Janet Bishop and Cara Manes
In this sweeping retrospective, Bishop and Manes capture the breadth of Ruth Asawa’s creative and extensive work, from her wire sculptures to her transformative public works. The authors provide an in-depth look at Asawa’s process and legacy, bringing Asawa’s legacy to life and emphasizing his role as a pioneer in 20th-century American art. The accompanying traveling exhibition will be on view at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (April 5–September 2, 2025), the Museum of Modern Art, New York (October 19, 2025–February 7, 2026), the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Spain (March 20–September 13 , 2026) and Fondation Beyeler, Riehen/Basel, Switzerland (October 18, 2026–January 24, 2027).
Georgia O’Keeffe: Recent Work by Randall C. Griffin
Griffin’s study of O’Keeffe’s later works is revelatory, opening up new aspects of this modern American scholar as he grapples with age and evolution. Through thoughtful analysis, Griffin illuminates the quiet power of O’Keeffe’s late artistic expressions, making this a must-read for those drawn to his lasting legacy and the intensity of his creative impulse.
The Last Caravaggio by Francesca Whitlum-Cooper
Whitlum-Cooper’s study of Martyrdom of Saint UrsulaCaravaggio’s last masterpiece, it delves into the themes of death, spirituality and Caravaggio’s revolutionary new style. By combining historical insight with close analysis, Whitlum-Cooper sheds light on Caravaggio’s legacy and provides an illuminating look at the artist’s bold handling of complex themes.
Leonardo da Vinci: The Untraceable Life by Stephen J. Campbell
This is Campbell’s place Untraceable Life is a bold re-examination of Leonardo da Vinci, challenging the myths surrounding one of history’s greatest figures. Campbell’s clever re-contextualization presents Da Vinci as an unattainable master but as a human artist of his time, making this a thought-provoking read for those attracted to the nuances of Renaissance art.
Shahzia Sikander by Jason Rosenfeld
Rosenfeld’s portrait of Shahzia Sikander shows an artist whose work spans continents, histories and artistic traditions. With a few insights, he captures Sikander’s journey from Lahore to New York, revealing an artist who redefined the possibilities of contemporary art and left a lasting mark on the world art scene.
The Fricks Collect: The American Family and the Emergence of Taste During the Cool Era by Ian Wardropper, foreword by Julian Fellowes
Wardropper’s examination of the Frick family’s collecting history is a illuminating study in taste and enthusiasm at the height of the Cool Age. With stunning prose and meticulous detail, he traces Fricks’ evolving vision, giving readers a glimpse into the making of one of America’s most refined collections, a cornerstone of cultural heritage.
Megan Fox Kelly is a great host Learning the World of Arta live interview and podcast series with the art world’s top writers. The interviews explore timely topics in the world of art, design, architecture, artists and the art market, and are an opportunity to further engage with the minds of this insightful new publication. Listen to the podcast on Spotify again an apple.
