Birds
The Goldfinch, Birds, Art, and Us
$55.99
- Hardcover
200 pages
- Release Date
21 September 2026
Summary
Simon Schama explores our enduring fascination with birds in a visually stunning art book
“No other creatures have fixed themselves so obsessively and ubiquitously in our restless, earth-stuck imagination as birds… the fixation painted, imprinted, sculpted, filmed in our art.” - Simon Schama
From Icarus to Peter Pan, who hasn’t dreamt of flying? Birds are the embodiment of our desires, fears and fantasies. In this publication, internationally renowned art hist…
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9789493416512 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10: | 9493416518 |
| Author: | Simon Schama, Martine Gosselink, Laura Cumming, Stefan Hertmans, Philip Hoare, Eva Meijer, Adrienne Quarles van Ufford |
| Publisher: | Hannibal Books |
| Imprint: | Hannibal Books |
| Format: | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages: | 200 |
| Release Date: | 21 September 2026 |
| Weight: | 982g |
| Dimensions: | 24mm x 224mm x 274mm |
Critics Review
”…Schama brings together many strands of his reflections on these feathered friends in his associative and philosophical way…” – “Exhibition review, The New York Times”
“This beautifully illustrated book explores our enduring fascination with birds, the embodiment of our desires, fears and fantasies depicted in paintings, prints, sculptures and films, from Carel Fabritius’ world famous The Goldfinch and Picasso’s Dove of Peace to Brancusi’s Bird in Space or a feather dress by Iris van Herpen.”– “ArtMag.com”
“This colourful presentation combines paintings, sculptures, natural history exhibits, audiovisual installations, fashion and contemporary art, and invite visitors to consider subjects like freedom, climate change and consumption.”– “Exhibition review, Artdaily.com”
”..a beautifully presented exhibition covering all aspects of birds in art, culture and society.” – “Exhibition review, ArtsTalk Magazine”
”…offers an arresting chromatic display: the deep blush of Audubon’s famous bent-double flamingo; the emerald flash of a trapped hummingbird; the tenebrous glitter of peacock feathers painted by Rembrandt; the florid pink softness of an ostrich plume fan….myriad images captur[e] the complexity and intimacy of our relationship with birds.“– “Exhibition review, The Times of London”
Simon Schama
Sir Simon Schama
Sir Simon Schama is a University Professor of Art History and History. His courses have addressed the British Empire, English and French art and politics, the Gothic Revival in England, Ruskin, and Victorian culture.
His award-winning 15-part television series, “A History of Britain,” was broadcast on the BBC and the History Channel from 2000 to 2002. He also produced a new series, “The Power of Art,” on PBS and BBC in 2006 and 2007.
Schama served as Vice President of PEN American Center from 1994 to 1996. From 1995 to 1998, he was the art critic of The New Yorker magazine, for which he continues to write.
In 2019, he was awarded a knighthood for services to history at Buckingham Palace.
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