Because they come in all shapes and sizes—literally—and cover such a broad spectrum of topics, coffee table books have become one of the most suitable gifts for the design-minded among us. This shouldn’t necessarily come as a surprise: these tomes enchant with their large-scale images; they effortlessly elevate an interior with their packaging; and, above all, they reveal the enduring appeal of visual art, photography, and design across history.
As the holiday season approaches, we’ve compiled some of our favorite coffee table books from 2025, perfect not only for gifting to others, but also for treasuring for yourself. These titles span museum catalogs celebrating Impressionist masters; fascinating surveys that dive into fashion, photography, and architecture through the ages; and monographs that unveil a new dimension to some of the world’s most iconic artists. No matter their subject, each of these books is sure to satisfy a craving for beauty as we head into 2026.
Explore the Best Art Books of 2025
Monet and Venice (Rizzoli / The Brooklyn Museum)
“Monet and Venice,” published by the Brooklyn Museum. ($51.26 on Bookshop)
Accompanying a groundbreaking exhibition of the same name at the Brooklyn Museum, Monet and Venice delves into the Impressionist artist’s Venetian cityscapes with unprecedented clarity. After all, these works have long been overlooked, if not forgotten, by the art world since their original debut in 1912. This catalog corrects that fact through stunning reproductions, newly commissioned texts, and maps of Monet’s views from Venice.
The Reimagined Home: Sustainable Spaces Created with Joy (Quadrille)
“The Reimagined Home: Sustainable Spaces Created with Joy,” published by Quadrille. ($50 at Barnes & Noble)
In The Reimagined Home, interior stylist and journalist Nicole Gray lets readers peek into 16 of the world’s most sustainable homes, belonging to such creatives as Shelley Simpson, Kally Ellis, and Jules Haines. Even though “future-proofing” is at the heart of these houses, they aren’t without style, as evidenced through lush plants, quirky trinkets, bold accent walls, and unexpected textures. Expect to be fully inspired by the book’s featured interiors, perhaps even to the point of redecorating your own space.
Butterfly: Exploring the World of Lepidoptera (Phaidon)
“Butterfly: Exploring the World of Lepidoptera,” published by Phaidon. ($55.87 on Bookshop)
Almost every year, Phaidon releases a new addition to its renowned Explorer series, which considers topics like trees, birds, and the ocean through an art historical lens. This fall, the publisher has trained its keen eye on butterflies, gathering more than 250 examples of how this beloved insect has inspired paintings, sculptures, photography, textiles, jewelry, and so much more throughout history. Even a short skim will reveal that this survey is as richly researched as it is delightfully vibrant.
Spread from “Butterfly,” published by Phaidon. ($55.87 on Bookshop)
Spread from “Butterfly,” published by Phaidon. ($55.87 on Bookshop)
Gabriele Münter: Contours of a World (Guggenheim)
“Gabriele Münter: Contours of a World,” published by the Guggenheim. ($51.26 on Bookshop)
German Expressionist Gabriele Münter was a force to be reckoned with, standing at the forefront of her country’s avant-garde scene thanks to her introspective portraits, vivid landscapes, and illustrative forms. Coinciding with a major exhibition at the Guggenheim, Contours of a World captures Münter’s singular style through both significant and lesser-known works, including examples of her photography taken during her extensive travels in the U.S. This expansive volume is not to be missed, especially given its focus on a trailblazing woman artist.
Spread from “Gabriele Münter: Contours of a World,” published by the Guggenheim. ($51.26 on Bookshop)
David Hockney: My Window (Pocket Edition) (Taschen)
“David Hockney: My Window” (pocket ed.), published by Taschen. ($18.64+ on Bookshop)
David Hockney has had an ambitious year, in no small part due to his largest solo exhibition ever opening at the Fondation Louis Vuitton this past spring. But, on a much smaller scale, the artist has also released a pocket edition of My Window, which spans 120 of his iPhone and iPad paintings that capture the views outside of his Yorkshire home. For Hockney fans, this wallet-friendly keepsake is a no-brainer.
Spread from “David Hockney: My Window,” published by Taschen. ($18.64+ on Bookshop)
Spread from “David Hockney: My Window,” published by Taschen. ($18.64 on Bookshop)
Black Photojournalism (Carnegie Museum of Art)
“Black Photojournalism,” published by the Carnegie Museum of Art. ($60.58 on Bookshop)
This evocative survey journeys from 1945 to 1984, a critical time period in the Civil Rights Movement throughout the United States. As its title suggests, Black Photojournalism weaves stories of resilience through Black photojournalists, each of whom played a pivotal role in advocating for social change and transformation. This volume proves that Black photojournalism and its impact reverberates through the centuries.
Spread from “Black Photojournalism,” published by the Carnegie Museum of Art. ($60.58 on Bookshop)
Spread from “Black Photojournalism,” published by the Carnegie Museum of Art. ($60.58 on Bookshop)
Iván Tovar: The Legends Collection (Assouline)
“Iván Tovar: The Legends Collection,” published by Assouline. ($195 on Assouline)
Fans of surrealism may typically gravitate toward artists like Salvador Dalí or Pablo Picasso, but Iván Tovar can’t be discounted. Throughout his life, the Dominican artist created psychedelic, bizarre, and altogether imaginative paintings, many of which are gathered for the first time ever in Assouline’s Iván Tovar monograph. As well-constructed as it is unexpected, this decadent tome might just be home to your new favorite surrealist.
Superfine: Tailoring Black Style (The Metropolitan Museum of Art)
“Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” published by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. ($69.90 on Bookshop)
Published on the occasion of the Met’s latest Costume Institute exhibition, Superfine offers an unforgettable and wholly extraordinary overview of Black menswear and style since the 18th century. At the book’s core is an exploration of dandyism, whose influences emerge in everything from hip streetwear to sleek suits. For those unable to shake the impact of the exhibition, this catalog is indispensable.
Spread from “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” published by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. ($69.90 on Bookshop)
Spread from “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” published by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. ($69.90 on Bookshop)
Archigram: The Magazine (Distributed Art Publishers)
“Archigram: The Magazine,” published by Distributed Art Publishers. ($195 on Bookshop)
Many consider Archigram to be architecture’s most influential, innovative, and beloved underground magazine, originally founded in 1961. Now, DAP revives the magazine through an outstanding feat of book engineering and design, complete with exact facsimiles of all 10 issues of Archigram. Accompanying the facsimiles are fully illustrated reader’s guides, tributes from the architectural community, an index of key concepts, a scrapbook of unseen archival images, a bibliography, and biographies. Archigram: The Magazine is not just a celebration of architecture. It’s also a prime example of how the discipline can inform the inner workings of a book.
Product shot of “Archigram: The Magazine,” published by Distributed Art Publishers. ($195 on Bookshop)
Product shot of “Archigram: The Magazine,” published by Distributed Art Publishers. ($195 on Bookshop)
Product shot of “Archigram: The Magazine,” published by Distributed Art Publishers. ($195 on Bookshop)
Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Head—The Mind (No More Rulers)
“Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Head—The Mind,” published No More Rulers. ($46.55 on Bookshop)
Even with his diverse output, Jean-Michel Basquiat often returned to one subject in particular: the human head. This slim yet fascinating collection provides an indelible glimpse into Basquiat’s various portraits, whether it be a skeletal profile whose grimace reveals yellow teeth or a face so red and furious it resembles a ripe tomato. Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Head—The Mind is designed not just for Basquiat buffs, but for those interested in probing the true depths of the artist’s practice.
Spread from “Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Head—The Mind,” published No More Rulers. ($46.55 on Bookshop)
My Modern Met granted permission by respective publishers to feature photos.
Prices were accurate at time of publishing.
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