Mar

The art of the book, the book as art

Gifts from our Elders by Kerry McAleer-Keeler, 2007-2008. (Courtesy Smithsonian Institution Libraries)

An artist’s book is a work of art in book form. Although artists have illustrated the words of others for centuries, the book as art object is relatively recent, and the Smithsonian Libraries has a rich, diverse collection of artist-made books from the early 20th century to today.

Discover the new online Artists’ Books Collection from Smithsonian Libraries. This collection brings together materials from the Smithsonian Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery Library; Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Library; Dibner Library of the History of Science and Technology; Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Library; and the Warren M. Robbins Library for African Art. It comprises hundreds works of art in book form, spanning the 20th century through today. The site serves as the portal to search or browse the entirety of the collection across the branches, to provide information about collection access, and to highlight book arts-related happenings, projects, and acquisitions at the Smithsonian Libraries. For more information about the collection and news updates, visit the collection online.