'History of Press Graphics. 1819–1921'

Covering the influence of graphic news items over a span of 100 years, Taschen's 'History of Press Graphics. 1819–1921' explores the unique genre of newspaper design and its effect on avant-garde art movements at the time. Authored by Alexander Roob, the volume showcases the work of some of the most famous illustrators of the time as well as artists like Jean Cocteau, Juan Gris and Käthe Kollwitz alongside a rediscovery of the so-called 'special artists' — unknown press graphic creators. The work of this group — including news graphics and political and satirical cartoons — is explored with regards to this genre as well as in its capacity as a influence on modern art. The result is a tome that offers examples of proto-cinematic narrative thinking, disruptions of the single image space, and daring forays into abstraction.