Enfilade

From Thames & Hudson:

Julius Bryant, ed., The Art of the Illustrated Book: History and Design (London: Thames & Hudson, 2022), 288 pages, ISBN: 978-0500480694, £45 / $60.

This is the story of the illustrated book, from the earliest printed examples to the present day, told through the collections of the National Art Library at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London—a library that was created to bring together examples of superlative book-making on almost every subject. Gathered here are some of the most influential, compelling and striking examples of the illustrated book, arranged thematically in chapters devoted to subjects such as art, literature, religion, architecture, natural history, fashion, and shopping. Brimming with innovative and beautiful examples, ranging from well-known titles, such as Owen Jones’s Grammar of Ornament and James Audubon’s Birds of America, to other wonderful but less familiar publications, this collection offers a fascinating overview of some of the finest illustrated books ever created—demonstrating their enduring appeal.

Julius Bryant is the Emeritus Keeper of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

c o n t e n t s

Introduction
1  Religion
2  Natural History
3  Travel
4  Fables & Folk Tales
5  Literature
6  Art Making
7  Art History
8  Architecture
9  Ornament and Pattern
10  Festivals
11  World Fairs
12  Fashion
13  Shopping