Books
Essential reading for collectors, curated from our artist profiles and editorial team
Essential Books for Collectors
Five books every serious collector should own, chosen by the editors at The Collection.
The $12 Million Stuffed Shark
Don Thompson
The definitive guide to understanding the economics of the contemporary art market, from auction houses to mega-dealers.
Seven Days in the Art World
Sarah Thornton
A journalist embeds herself in seven corners of the art world, from a Christie's auction to an MFA crit, revealing how art gets made, sold, and valued.
Collecting Art for Love, Money and More
Ethan Wagner & Thea Westreich Wagner
Two legendary collectors share decades of practical wisdom on building a meaningful collection with integrity.
Ways of Seeing
John Berger
The foundational text on how images work, why we look at art the way we do, and what that reveals about power and culture.
The Art of Looking
Lance Esplund
A generous, accessible guide to reading paintings from any era, built around close looking rather than art historical jargon.
Top Art Books
Great Art Books Under $20
Art and Identity: LGBTQ+ Artists
Essential reading on artists whose work has shaped queer visibility and culture in the art world.
