A painter, on panel and in fresco, a sculptor, architect, and poet, Michelangelo Buonarroti was the first artist recognized by his contemporaries as a genius. The Little Book of Michelangelo provides an accessible introduction to the life and work of this most influential of artists. A biographical essay sets the scene, and the handy alphabetical entries that follow, accompanied by some 100 illustrations, include detailed commentary on his best-known works such as the colossal marble sculpture of David, and--the world's single greatest fresco--the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

Sahara. The name itself evokes a horizon of shifting dunes, a rich palette of reds and browns as diverse as the blues of the ocean. The civilizations scattered in this unforgiving landscape seem huddled against the overwhelming power of the elements, yet seen up close the architecture of these desert places is very complex, characterized by pure, abstract lines and arabesques forms that mimic the shapes and lines of the dunes. Impressions of the Sahara follows the caravan routes across the desert, stopping to celebrate local traditions such as the extraordinary wall paintings of the women of Mauritania, the colorful markets of the Moroccan oasis towns, and the raw earth mosques of Niger, decorated with elaborate carvings that have survived centuries of exposure to the elements. Illustrated in vibrant color throughout, Impressions of the Sahara is an extraordinary photographic record of the sumptuous colors of the desert and the homes of those who live there.

Interior design guru Axel Vervoordt shares his latest inspirations for the home. Axel Vervoordt’s intense curiosity has fueled his work as an interior designer, spurring him to explore and draw inspiration from cultures around the globe. He was first exposed to Eastern art and philosophy years ago, but today it has become the guiding principle in his work, particularly the concept of Wabi. Developed in the twelfth century, Wabi advocates simplicity and humility, the rejection of all that is superfluous or artificial. Through extraordinary photographs from Japan and Korea to Belgium and Switzerland, Vervoordt invites us to explore the elements that inspire him: natural materials and time-worn objects that evoke the essence of Wabi. Today, together with the Japanese architect Tatsuro Miki, Vervoordt carries the principles of Wabi into his remarkable interiors. As Vervoordt reveals how he infuses his current creations with a fundamentally oriental approach, interiors devotees will gain new insight from this tribute to the designer’s latest sources of inspiration for the home.

As a photographer, Robert Doisneau is known for his ability to infuse images of daily life with poetic nuance that imbued his photojournalism with an enduring popular appeal. The unprecedented scope of this collection provides the opportunity to study his more composed, aesthetically structured images alongside his snapshots, which offer a more anecdotal account of Doisneau's Paris. Organized thematically, the book leads us on an entrancing tour through the gardens of Paris, along the Seine, and through the crowds of Parisians who define their beloved city. More than 600 photographs-many rare, forgotten, and previously unpublished-are assembled in this beautiful volume to create a unique portrait of Paris. From toddlers scrambling to cross rue de Rivoli to fresh-faced accordionists, from elegant dog walkers to exuberant roller skaters, and from the indelible kiss in front of the Hetel de Ville to cyclists beneath the Eiffel Tower, the magic of Paris in black and white is a timeless treasure. The photographs, edited by Doisneau's daughter, are complemented by citations from the photographer himself, which reveal his profound fascination with the city where he lived and worked.

It would be difficult to find a selection anywhere in the world of more splendid restaurants, creative chefs, succulent dishes, harmonious odes to tradition, or convincing hymns to the art of living well than these forty featured restaurants. Prominent restaurant critic Gilles Pudlowski leads the reader on a gourmet tour of France, sharing menu selections from his favorite restaurants along with the stories behind the accomplished chefs and their kitchens. From the Carré des Feuillants nestled between place Vendôme and the Tuileries gardens in the heart of Paris to the elegant château of les Crayères in Champagne that takes the visitor back to another era, and from the idyllic setting of Auberge de l’Ill in the verdant Alsatian countryside to breathtaking views across the sparkling water from the terrace at Le Petit Nice in Marseille, these are legendary restaurants that bring dreams to life. Illustrated with Maurice Rougemont’s enticing photographs, this finely researched bible of French gastronomy offers a feast for the eyes and the palate. World-renowned chefs include Paul Bocuse, Alain Ducasse, Guy Savoy, and Anne-Sophie Pic, and each has divulged two signature recipes to enjoy at home. Addresses for all of the restaurants are included in the book for readers who wish to embark on their own gourmet tour of the finest in French dining experiences.

Celebrity model Ines de La Fressange shares the well-kept secrets of how Parisian women maintain effortless glamour and timeless allure. Ines de La FressangeFrances icon of chic shares her personal tips for living with style and charm, gleaned from decades in the fashion industry. She offers specific pointers on how to dress like a Parisian, including how to mix affordable basics with high-fashion touches, and how to accessorize. Her step-by-step dos and donts are accompanied by fashion photography, and the book is personalized with her charming drawings. Ines also shares how to bring Parisian chic into your home, and how to insert your signature style into any spaceeven the office. The ultrachic red volume is flexi-bound with a wrapper band and features offset aquarelle paper. Complete with her favorite addresses for finding the ultimate fashion and decorating items, this is a musthave for any woman who wants to add a touch of Paris to her own style.

Cats is a celebration of the beloved feline and its place within our cultural history, from ancient times to classic stories such as Puss in Boots. Mummified by the Egyptians and domesticated by the Romans, the cat is one of man's most magnificent companions. The first volume of this adorable gift set covers the history of the cat from ancient Egyptian civilization to the present, cat-related myths and superstitions in different cultures, and the emergence of the most common breeds today. It includes a practical section, with tips for selecting the right cat and welcoming it into your home, as well as guidelines for feeding, grooming, and training. The second volume presents forty-one cat breeds and some of their variants including Persian, Exotic Shorthair, Abyssinian, York Chocolate, Turkish Angora, Ragdoll, American Curl, Snowshoe, Bombay, Selkirk Rex, Somali, and Burmese. This gift set is rich in photographs and completed by a glossary, a list of useful addresses, and a bibliography. A purr-fect gift.

Rodin, the first authoritative monograph from the Musée Rodin, is written by the museum's leading experts, with a foreword from its director. All facets of the artist's life and art are explored in chapters that cover the artistic context of the day, his education, the commission of The Gates of Hell, his relationship with Camille Claudel, his monuments, the exhibition that brought him international acclaim, his studios, his sources of inspiration, from dance and eroticism to poetry and cathedrals, the final years of his life, and the international museums dedicated to his incomparable art, along with a detailed chronology and bibliography. Studies of key works, which include sculpture, drawings, engravings, and paintings, are illustrated in photographs commissioned for this publication. Rodin created much controversy in his lifetime (1840-1917); his passionate sculptures met criticism from conservatives but adoration from the avant-garde. Today he is revered as a forward-thinker who took a decisive step away from the dry, academic art of the 19th century toward a freer, more expressive style that foreshadowed modernism and abstract sculpture.

During the golden age when Montparnasse was teeming with artists, Robert Doisneau gained remarkable access to the artists working in Paris from 1937 onwards, and he visited their studios and caught them in various private moments: working, reflecting, and even playing with their children. This book, which includes some previously unpublished photographs, shares Doisneau’s intimate view on the work and lives of these artists. Many remain famous—Picasso, David Hockney, Jasper Johns, Giacometti, Saul Steinberg, Marcel Duchamp, Le Corbusier, Foujita—while others have fallen into obscurity, perhaps one day to be rediscovered. Regardless of the artist’s social status—whether major figure of the day or struggling newcomer—Doisneau approached each subject with the same humble eye. His signature black-and-white photographs capture the nostalgia of the period and bear witness to these artists in the act of creating some of the world’s finest art. This book, published in cooperation with Doisneau’s daughters, is a fascinating document of the daily lives of artists by one of the world’s most famous and popular photographers.

The 2010 winner of France's most prestigious literary award, the Prix Goncourt.

«In Our Farm, the famed French photographer Raymond Depardon tells his early life story with his very first photographs, describing his youth as a farmer's son on the banks of the Saone River, filled with the ardent and urgent desire to testify to the state of the world and of his fellows. «The stone staircase in front of the kitchen is still there. It leads up to the loft. Though my memory isn't entirely clear, I seem to remember that it was my first landmark on the farm. As a child, I was only allowed to go up the very first steps I still like to sit on those stairs today. Is it because of the perfect shape of the steps, worn by the passing of time? Is it their color that changes with the light and the seasons? It is pleasant there, in the winter sun. You are sheltered from the wind that blows through the Saone valley. In summer, it is the hottest spot in the courtyard. When evening falls, the red sun sinks behind the top steps.»

Ovide nous entraîne aux côtés des divinités et des héros les plus célèbres de l'Antiquité. Jupiter s'affirme en tant que maître du monde, Narcisse adore son propre reflet, Persée multiplie les exploits tandis que Pygmalion modèle une statue plus vraie que nature. Aventure, amour, défis et prouesses, un monde à la fois réaliste et merveilleux s'ouvre à vous.

Gogol Le Révizor Lorsque Khlestakov, jeune voyageur pétersbourgeois endetté et affamé, arrive dans « un petit trou de province », il ne s'attend pas à un tel accueil. Hébergement, vins, cigares, vêtements et équipages élégants : rien ne lui est refusé par Anton Antonovitch, le gouverneur qui vient à sa rencontre. D'abord surpris par tant d'hospitalité, il comprend bientôt qu'on le prend pour un révizor, c'est-à-dire un inspecteur envoyé par le gouvernement... Miroir de la société russe sous Nicolas Ier ? Satire de l'administration russe ? Comédie de tous les temps et de tous les pays ? Parabole métaphysique sur l'« empire du mal » ? Autant d'interrogations qui font la richesse du Révizor, pièce de Gogol représentée à Saint-Pétersbourg en 1836 et qui connut un retentissement considérable.

Le tour du monde en 80 jours Verne À la suite d'un pari, Phileas Fogg s'engage à accomplir le tour du monde en quatre-vingts jours. Avec l'ingénieux Passepartout, son serviteur dévoué, il utilise tous les moyens de transport possibles pour mener à bien cette course contre la montre. Et nous voici entraînés, au rythme haletant de leurs péripéties, sur des rails, des paquebots, mais aussi des éléphants et des traîneaux à voiles... Le dossier de l'édition est placé sous le signe de l'aventure. Il invite à suivre les traces de Phileas Fogg, à reconnaître les grands voyageurs de notre histoire et de notre littérature, mais aussi à dater les inventions les plus marquantes.

Au début de l'été 1833, à peine âgé de seize ans, Vladimir rencontre l'amour pour la première fois dans la maison de campagne où il passe ses vacances. Mais la belle jeune fille qui l'a ébloui, plus âgée que lui, forte et indépendante, va bientôt le réduire au désespoir... En racontant la passion malheureuse du novice Vladimir pour la séduisante Zinaïda, Tourguéniev compose un émouvant récit d'apprentissage mêlé de souvenirs autobiographiques. Le dossier de l'édition permet d'étudier la structure narrative et les personnages du récit de Tourguéniev.

Gogol Nouvelles de Pétersbourg Attaché, tel un diable visionnaire, aux pas chancelants de ses personnages, pantins grotesques autant qu'ils sont pathétiques, Gogol parcourt Pétersbourg, transfigurée sous sa plume en un inquiétant théâtre d'ombres. Du Manteau au Portrait, en passant par Le Journal d'un fou, Le Nez et La Perspective Nevsky, ces nouvelles fantastiques et cocasses, par-delà la satire de la société russe, donnent à voir un univers imprévisible, gouverné par le non-sens. Ainsi que l'écrivait Nabokov, « l'essence de l'humanité est dérivée d'une manière irrationnelle du chaos de faux-semblants qui compose le monde de Gogol ». Dossier 1. Gogol : des diableries ukrainiennes aux Âmes mortes 2. Pétersbourg, capitale inquiétante 3. L'humour : Sterne et le nez de Tristram Shandy 4. Aspects du récit fantastique 5. Récits de la folie 6. Gogol devant la critique