Ben Mercer's book gifts for art lovers

We asked Ben Mercer, author, content creator and strategist for the books that he would recommend as gifts. His choice includes something for everyone, from a comprehensive guide to highlights from our own collection to a book that tackles some of the fundamental questions about art.

The National Gallery Highlights

By Annetta Berry, National Gallery Global, 2023

'A lovely little intro to the Gallery and what's inside. It's full of the big hits, it's beautifully designed and it's the right size for a stocking.'

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The World According to Vincent Van Gogh

By Nienke Bakker, Ann Blokland, Esther Darley, Thames & Hudson, 2024

'Everyone knows Van Gogh's painting, but it's often overlooked that he was an incredible writer. This book pairs some of his quotations with reproductions of his artwork and it's just the most wonderful, inspiring, and human collection. His gifts can be your gift!'

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How Painting Happens (and Why it Matters)

By Martin Gayford, Thames & Hudson, 2024

'Drawing on decades of conversations with practising artists, Martin Gayford offers intimate insight into the practice, meaning and potential of painting.'

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Gifts in the Gallery

Come visit our Getty shop this Christmas for these three brilliant books.

'All the Beauty in the World'

By Patrick Bringley, Penguin, 2024
 
'One of my favourite reads this year, Patrick Bringley explains the healing power of art, describing his experience taking a job as a security guard in a gallery in the wake of his brother’s passing.'

‘Monsters’

By Claire Dederer, Hachette UK, 2024
 
'An always timely topic, Monsters sensitively explores the art vs artist issue that pervades so much of our modern cultural discourse.'

More books to choose from

Visit our shop online to see all our Christmas book gifting ideas. Find the perfect present from our wide range of books from artist monographs to the stories of art.

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