Frank Stella. A Retrospective

This landmark catalogue presents a retrospective study of Frank Stella (b. 1936), one of the most important figures in 20th-century American art. Showcasing works from all of his major series, the book surveys the full sweep of Stella’s career, from his artistic beginnings in high school and college to today.

The book’s spectacular plate section comprises more than 100 works, including paintings, sculptures, reliefs, and works on paper. Notable inclusions are his seminal Black Paintings, recent high-relief aluminum works, and a selection of drawings, maquettes, and digital renderings—many of which are reproduced here for the first time—that offer fresh insight into Stella’s thinking and process. Essays discuss topics such as the artist’s early years at Phillips Academy in Andover and Princeton University, and his late-career architectural pieces created with the aid of computer software. An interview with Stella conducted by American painter Laura Owens allows Stella to illuminate his artistic practice in his own words. Additional resources include a chronology with extensive bibliographic and exhibition references. This definitive publication is the most thorough examination to date of Stella’s astounding contributions in all media, which cement his role as one of the most important practitioners of modern abstraction.