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Published by Hannibal Publishers
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
Table of Contents
About The Book
Simon Schama explores our enduring fascination with birds in this visually stunning art book of iconic images.
“You lose the flight of the bird, and you lose the song of the bird, and you lose the world, really.” —Simon Schama, The New York Times
‘No other creatures have fixed themselves so obsessively and ubiquitously in our restless, earth-stuck imagination as birds… the fixation painted, imprinted, sculpted, filmed in our art.’ – Simon Schama
From Icarus to Peter Pan, who hasn’t dreamt of flying? Birds are the embodiment of our desires, fears and fantasies. In this publication internationally renowned (art) historian Simon Schama and Mauritshuis director Martine Gosselink explore the fascinating relationship between humans and birds through art, literature and cultural history.
Carel Fabritius’s world-famous Goldfinch, Picasso’s Dove, Brancusi’s Bird in Space, an Egyptian falcon mummy, a feather dress by Iris van Herpen: this book is a visual and literary journey through centuries of bird imagery. The icing on the cake is a wonderful anthology of bird stories from, among other works, The Epic of Gilgameshand One Thousand and One Nights, as well as bird poems by such writers as Rabindranath Tagore, Ted Hughes, Bob Marley and Rumi.
With contributions by Simon Schama, Martine Gosselink, Laura Cumming, Stefan Hertmans, Philip Hoare, Eva Meijer and Adrienne Quarles van Ufford.
This book is published on the occasion of the exhibition BIRDS – Curated by The Goldfinch & Simon Schamain Mauritshuis, The Hague from 12 February to 7 June 2026.
“You lose the flight of the bird, and you lose the song of the bird, and you lose the world, really.” —Simon Schama, The New York Times
‘No other creatures have fixed themselves so obsessively and ubiquitously in our restless, earth-stuck imagination as birds… the fixation painted, imprinted, sculpted, filmed in our art.’ – Simon Schama
From Icarus to Peter Pan, who hasn’t dreamt of flying? Birds are the embodiment of our desires, fears and fantasies. In this publication internationally renowned (art) historian Simon Schama and Mauritshuis director Martine Gosselink explore the fascinating relationship between humans and birds through art, literature and cultural history.
Carel Fabritius’s world-famous Goldfinch, Picasso’s Dove, Brancusi’s Bird in Space, an Egyptian falcon mummy, a feather dress by Iris van Herpen: this book is a visual and literary journey through centuries of bird imagery. The icing on the cake is a wonderful anthology of bird stories from, among other works, The Epic of Gilgameshand One Thousand and One Nights, as well as bird poems by such writers as Rabindranath Tagore, Ted Hughes, Bob Marley and Rumi.
With contributions by Simon Schama, Martine Gosselink, Laura Cumming, Stefan Hertmans, Philip Hoare, Eva Meijer and Adrienne Quarles van Ufford.
This book is published on the occasion of the exhibition BIRDS – Curated by The Goldfinch & Simon Schamain Mauritshuis, The Hague from 12 February to 7 June 2026.
Product Details
- Publisher: Hannibal Publishers (May 12, 2026)
- Length: 176 pages
- ISBN13: 9789493416512
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Raves and Reviews
"This beautifully illustrated book explores our enduring fascination with birds, the embodiment of our desires, fears and fantasies depicted in paintings, prints, sculptures and films, from Carel Fabritius’ world famous The Goldfinch and Picasso’s Dove of Peace to Brancusi’s Bird in Space or a feather dress by Iris van Herpen."
– ArtMag.com
“…Schama brings together many strands of his reflections on these feathered friends in his associative and philosophical way…”
– Exhibition review, The New York Times
"This colourful presentation combines paintings, sculptures, natural history exhibits, audiovisual installations, fashion and contemporary art, and invite visitors to consider subjects like freedom, climate change and consumption."
– Exhibition review, Artdaily.com
“..a beautifully presented exhibition covering all aspects of birds in art, culture and society.”
– Exhibition review, ArtsTalk Magazine
“…offers an arresting chromatic display: the deep blush of Audubon’s famous bent-double flamingo; the emerald flash of a trapped hummingbird; the tenebrous glitter of peacock feathers painted by Rembrandt; the florid pink softness of an ostrich plume fan….myriad images captur[e] the complexity and intimacy of our relationship with birds."
– Exhibition review, The Times of London
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
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Book Cover Image (jpg): Birds
Hardcover 9789493416512
Published by Hannibal Publishers
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
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