This article introduces you to the key publications in TASCHEN’s Basic Art Series, which focus on influential movements and figures in art and architecture. If you’re an artist, designer, or architect, these books will provide essential insight into the evolution of modern artistic expression and architectural design.

Essential to any library, TASCHEN’s Essential Art series offers detailed chronologies of the lives and works of artists and architects. These publications delve into the historical significance and cultural legacy of their subjects, making them essential reading.


The Blaue Reiter: Riders On The Storm – The Charge of 20th-Century Expressionism

The Blaue Reiter: Riders On The Storm
The Blaue Reiter: Riders On The Storm

“The Blaue Reiter: Riders On The Storm” offers an in-depth exploration of the Blaue Reiter movement, a pivotal yet brief period in art history, lasting from 1911 to 1914. Led by Wassily Kandinsky and Franz Marc, this group revolutionized European art with their rejection of traditional norms, embracing spontaneous, symbolic, and abstract styles. Despite its short duration, cut off by World War I, the movement’s impact on modern art remains profound. The book highlights key figures, works like Marc’s “Blue Horse I” and Kandinsky’s “Picture with a Black Arch,” and the lasting influence of their innovative approach.

Discover the profound influence of the Blue Rider movement and its leaders, Wassily Kandinsky and Franz Marc, through The Blue Rider: Riders on the Storm.” This in-depth account is readily available to anyone interested in the transformative wave of 20th-century Expressionism. Here’s where to buy your copy:

  • Purchase The Blue Rider from Amazon to explore the spontaneous and abstract styles that reshaped European art.
  • Get your copy of this insightful book on AbeBooks to appreciate how the movement’s brief but impactful period changed the art world.
  • Find this exploration of early 20th-century art at TASCHEN, where the legacy of the Blue Rider movement is beautifully presented.

Brücke: Bridging The Gap – The Onset of Expressionism

Brücke: Bridging The Gap
Brücke: Bridging The Gap

Next, “Brücke: Bridging The Gap” introduces the Die Brücke group, formed in Dresden in 1905 and recognized as the genesis of Expressionism. Founders Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Fritz Bleyl, Erich Heckel, and Karl Schmidt-Rottluff broke free from academic constraints to express their inner experiences. Their work features vibrant colors, jagged lines, and a mix of influences from non-Western art to Renaissance masters. This book provides a detailed look at their revolutionary style through key works and their impact on 20th-century art.

If you’re fascinated by the intense, vibrant energy of the Brücke group and their pioneering role in the emergence of Expressionism, “Brücke: Bridging The Gap” is a must-have for your collection. Here’s how you can get your hands on a copy: Purchase Brücke from Amazon and immerse yourself in the bold, sharp lines and vibrant colors that define this innovative art movement.


Cézanne: Paintwork Pioneer – The Anchorman of Modernism

Cézanne: Paintwork Pioneer
Cézanne: Paintwork Pioneer

In “Cézanne: Paintwork Pioneer,” the work of Paul Cézanne is examined, showing his role as a bridge between Impressionism and modernism. Known as the “father of us all” by peers like Matisse and Picasso, Cézanne’s pioneering techniques in color, perspective, and form influenced countless artists. His approach to depicting light, space, and dimension through paintings like “Montagne Sainte-Victoire” and various still lifes and bathers is thoroughly analyzed, showcasing his profound influence on the development of modern art.

For those intrigued by Paul Cézanne’s seminal role in shaping modern art, Cézanne: Painterly Pioneer offers a comprehensive analysis of his techniques and contributions. Here’s where to find this insightful book:

  • Buy your copy of Cézanne from Amazon and discover how Cézanne’s unique approach to color, perspective, and form laid the groundwork for modern artists such as Matisse and Picasso.
  • Purchase this exploration of Cézanne’s impact on modernism from TASCHEN, where his legacy is beautifully documented and presented.

Chipperfield: Understated Excellence – The Architect of The Extraordinary Ordinary

Chipperfield: Understated Excellence
Chipperfield: Understated Excellence

Lastly, “Chipperfield: Understated Excellence” focuses on architect David Chipperfield, whose designs are celebrated for their extraordinary yet understated quality. Rejecting the flash of “starchitecture,” Chipperfield focuses on creating spaces that integrate seamlessly with their environments. His work, including Berlin’s Neues Museum and Seoul’s Amorepacific Headquarters, is highlighted for its emphasis on collaboration, integrity, and the extraordinary found within the ordinary. This book reflects on his significant contributions and the global recognition he has garnered.

If you appreciate the elegant and integrated architectural designs of David Chipperfield, this unique book is a must read. You can purchase the book on Amazon to explore the world of David Chipperfield. His approach to architecture emphasizes harmony with the environment and the beauty of understatement.

These TASCHEN publications are carefully crafted to guide readers through the diverse realms of art and architecture. By purchasing through these links, you will be taken directly to the book page where you can make your purchase. Your support allows us to continue to provide quality content that enriches your artistic and architectural journey. Thank you for your interest and support.