Europe's Leading Art Book Publisher TASCHEN and Seigensha's Collaboration, the Highly Anticipated Second Edition!
Seigensha will release the second installment of TASCHEN's popular "Basic Art Series" in Japanese mid-April, featuring new titles on Renoir and Bacon. This collaboration aims to make art history more accessible to Japanese readers.
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- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 22:30
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Seigensha Co., Ltd. will simultaneously publish two titles from TASCHEN's hugely popular "Basic Art Series" in Japanese in mid-April. Following the first release of 'Monet' and 'Van Gogh' in October 2025, the second release features 'Renoir' and 'Bacon'.
Basic Art Series 'Renoir' and 'Bacon' Book Covers
◾️ Book Overview
TASCHEN, which began as a small comic shop in Cologne, Germany, in 1980, celebrated its 45th anniversary last year. It is now a leading force in the art book world with 11 directly managed stores in major global cities like Paris, London, Berlin, Beverly Hills, and Hong Kong. With a mission of 'diversity and innovation,' the company offers a wide range of products, from $10 introductory editions to ultra-large books costing tens of thousands of dollars. They have consistently produced artistically designed art books, treating themes like LGBTQ+ and erotica with the same respect as general art books, themes that other publishers might shy away from. Their commitment to respecting all themes regardless of genre or price, and creating opportunities for broad public engagement with culture, continues to rewrite the norms of the publishing industry.
The "Basic Art Series," launched by TASCHEN in 1985, has been sold in 80 countries and translated into over 20 languages. It typically focuses on a single artist per volume, covering their early works to masterpieces with rich illustrations and detailed commentary that also touches on the social context and living conditions of the time, unraveling their life stories. Equipped with a photo-illustrated timeline, its comprehensive yet compact structure has earned high praise worldwide as an 'essential art guide'.
Following the first Japanese releases of 'Monet' and 'Van Gogh' in October 2025, the highly anticipated second installment features 'Renoir' and 'Bacon'.
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, a leading figure of the Impressionist movement renowned for his radiant colors and hailed as the 'painter of happiness.' Francis Bacon, an artist who profoundly influenced 20th-century art and whose 2013 retrospective at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, drew significant attention, solidifying his status in the Japanese art scene. While their styles are contrasting, both are figures of immense interest to Japanese art fans, demanding close attention.
In today's era, where art can be easily accessed online, taking a step further to learn more about art history and artists' lives can deepen understanding and enrich daily appreciation. This book aims to be a stepping stone in elevating readers' art experiences to be more profound and valuable.
Furthermore, a third installment of the series has been decided. It will feature 'Joseph Mallord William Turner,' a representative British landscape painter, and 'Marcel Duchamp,' one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, with a simultaneous release planned for around Autumn 2026.
TASCHEN (founded in 1980 in Cologne, Germany) is a publisher that handles books across diverse fields such as art, design, and architecture. Under the philosophy of 'offering innovative and beautiful art books at popular prices,' they publish collections of masterpieces and rare collections from around the world, as well as art-related books in over 20 languages.
◾️ Content Introduction
'Renoir PIERRE-AUGUSTE RENOIR'
Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) has captivated people across eras with his sensual works bathed in sunlight. While challenging color reforms with contemporaries like Monet, he also depicted lovers, mothers, and numerous nudes with intimacy and tenderness, rendering them with fresh vitality. This book selectively includes 77 important works from his oeuvre of thousands, such as 'Promenade,' 'Bal du moulin de la Galette,' and 'Young Girls at the Piano.' It traces the life of the painter who pursued happiness through hardships, including poverty, war, and his later years of illness and frailty.
'Bacon FRANCIS BACON'
Francis Bacon (1909-1992), largely self-taught, rose to prominence after World War II amidst notoriety. His unsettling figures, while grotesque, reflect the trials and traumas of human existence, delving deeply into human nature. He was also the first in art history to openly address the theme of 'homosexuality.' This book features works such as 'Velázquez...'
Basic Art Series 'Renoir' and 'Bacon' Book Covers
◾️ Book Overview
TASCHEN, which began as a small comic shop in Cologne, Germany, in 1980, celebrated its 45th anniversary last year. It is now a leading force in the art book world with 11 directly managed stores in major global cities like Paris, London, Berlin, Beverly Hills, and Hong Kong. With a mission of 'diversity and innovation,' the company offers a wide range of products, from $10 introductory editions to ultra-large books costing tens of thousands of dollars. They have consistently produced artistically designed art books, treating themes like LGBTQ+ and erotica with the same respect as general art books, themes that other publishers might shy away from. Their commitment to respecting all themes regardless of genre or price, and creating opportunities for broad public engagement with culture, continues to rewrite the norms of the publishing industry.
The "Basic Art Series," launched by TASCHEN in 1985, has been sold in 80 countries and translated into over 20 languages. It typically focuses on a single artist per volume, covering their early works to masterpieces with rich illustrations and detailed commentary that also touches on the social context and living conditions of the time, unraveling their life stories. Equipped with a photo-illustrated timeline, its comprehensive yet compact structure has earned high praise worldwide as an 'essential art guide'.
Following the first Japanese releases of 'Monet' and 'Van Gogh' in October 2025, the highly anticipated second installment features 'Renoir' and 'Bacon'.
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, a leading figure of the Impressionist movement renowned for his radiant colors and hailed as the 'painter of happiness.' Francis Bacon, an artist who profoundly influenced 20th-century art and whose 2013 retrospective at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, drew significant attention, solidifying his status in the Japanese art scene. While their styles are contrasting, both are figures of immense interest to Japanese art fans, demanding close attention.
In today's era, where art can be easily accessed online, taking a step further to learn more about art history and artists' lives can deepen understanding and enrich daily appreciation. This book aims to be a stepping stone in elevating readers' art experiences to be more profound and valuable.
Furthermore, a third installment of the series has been decided. It will feature 'Joseph Mallord William Turner,' a representative British landscape painter, and 'Marcel Duchamp,' one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, with a simultaneous release planned for around Autumn 2026.
TASCHEN (founded in 1980 in Cologne, Germany) is a publisher that handles books across diverse fields such as art, design, and architecture. Under the philosophy of 'offering innovative and beautiful art books at popular prices,' they publish collections of masterpieces and rare collections from around the world, as well as art-related books in over 20 languages.
◾️ Content Introduction
'Renoir PIERRE-AUGUSTE RENOIR'
Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) has captivated people across eras with his sensual works bathed in sunlight. While challenging color reforms with contemporaries like Monet, he also depicted lovers, mothers, and numerous nudes with intimacy and tenderness, rendering them with fresh vitality. This book selectively includes 77 important works from his oeuvre of thousands, such as 'Promenade,' 'Bal du moulin de la Galette,' and 'Young Girls at the Piano.' It traces the life of the painter who pursued happiness through hardships, including poverty, war, and his later years of illness and frailty.
'Bacon FRANCIS BACON'
Francis Bacon (1909-1992), largely self-taught, rose to prominence after World War II amidst notoriety. His unsettling figures, while grotesque, reflect the trials and traumas of human existence, delving deeply into human nature. He was also the first in art history to openly address the theme of 'homosexuality.' This book features works such as 'Velázquez...'