Description

Book Synopsis

'Even a seasoned art history buff will find new things to discover in this book.' - Hyperallergic

'Fascinating facts and illuminating anecdotes.' - The Art Newspaper

The perfect miscellany for every art lover - an essential and engaging collection of facts, figures, and findings about art, artists, and the art world, past and present

This extraordinary compendium of compelling facts, figures, and findings gathers and distils obscure and fascinating information about art, artists, and the art world. Fun, surprising, and compelling, in this covetable book you will learn:

- which artist's work is stolen most often (Picasso)
- names of artists' pets: Fat Fat & Cous-Cous (Louise Nevelson's cats), Giotto and Goya (John Baldessari's dogs)
- artist couples (Nancy Rubins and Chris Burden; Niki de Saint Phalle and Jean Tinguely; Dorothea Tanning and Max Ernst)
- things artists collect: prosthetic arms and legs (Sophie Calle), glass eyes (Hiroshi Sugimoto)
- odd jobs and side hustles: telephone marketer (Tomma Abts), crop duster (James Turrell)
- artists who were rejected from art school (Francisco Goya, Auguste Rodin)

... and hundreds of other miscellaneous details. Thoughtfully and thoroughly researched, this intriguing book offers refreshing and surprising perspectives on the world of art.

The five page-turning chapters cover:
- Artists
- Art School
- Art Studio
- Art Museum
- Art World



Trade Review
"Illuminating." – The Art Newspaper
"Even a seasoned art history buff will find new things to discover in this book." – Hyperallergic
"Filled with fascinating statistics and nuggets of information." – FAD
"Entertains as well as educates ... a true treasure trove." – DailyArt Magazine
"A great book to have at home to read, re-read and share with your friends or family." – CENT
“Easily digestible and entertaining.” – Booklist

Artifacts: Fascinating Facts about Art, Artists,

    Product form

    £15.26

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £16.95 – you save £1.69 (9%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Thu 2 Jul 2026.

    A Hardback by Phaidon Editors

    Out of stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Artifacts: Fascinating Facts about Art, Artists, by Phaidon Editors

      Publisher: Phaidon Press Ltd
      Publication Date: 03/02/2022
      ISBN13: 9781838663155, 978-1838663155
      ISBN10: 1838663150

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      'Even a seasoned art history buff will find new things to discover in this book.' - Hyperallergic

      'Fascinating facts and illuminating anecdotes.' - The Art Newspaper

      The perfect miscellany for every art lover - an essential and engaging collection of facts, figures, and findings about art, artists, and the art world, past and present

      This extraordinary compendium of compelling facts, figures, and findings gathers and distils obscure and fascinating information about art, artists, and the art world. Fun, surprising, and compelling, in this covetable book you will learn:

      - which artist's work is stolen most often (Picasso)
      - names of artists' pets: Fat Fat & Cous-Cous (Louise Nevelson's cats), Giotto and Goya (John Baldessari's dogs)
      - artist couples (Nancy Rubins and Chris Burden; Niki de Saint Phalle and Jean Tinguely; Dorothea Tanning and Max Ernst)
      - things artists collect: prosthetic arms and legs (Sophie Calle), glass eyes (Hiroshi Sugimoto)
      - odd jobs and side hustles: telephone marketer (Tomma Abts), crop duster (James Turrell)
      - artists who were rejected from art school (Francisco Goya, Auguste Rodin)

      ... and hundreds of other miscellaneous details. Thoughtfully and thoroughly researched, this intriguing book offers refreshing and surprising perspectives on the world of art.

      The five page-turning chapters cover:
      - Artists
      - Art School
      - Art Studio
      - Art Museum
      - Art World



      Trade Review
      "Illuminating." – The Art Newspaper
      "Even a seasoned art history buff will find new things to discover in this book." – Hyperallergic
      "Filled with fascinating statistics and nuggets of information." – FAD
      "Entertains as well as educates ... a true treasure trove." – DailyArt Magazine
      "A great book to have at home to read, re-read and share with your friends or family." – CENT
      “Easily digestible and entertaining.” – Booklist

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