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Costume Art

By Andrew Bolton
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Brief Description
Asserting the central role of the dressed body in art throughout history, this catalogue presents fashion as an essential expression of creativity and identity. Fashion transforms our bodies. Exploring this concept through idealised and actual body types across time, cultures, media, and contexts, this catalogue demonstrates... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$15200

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Asserting the central role of the dressed body in art throughout history, this catalogue presents fashion as an essential expression of creativity and identity.

Fashion transforms our bodies. Exploring this concept through idealised and actual body types across time, cultures, media, and contexts, this catalogue demonstrates how the clothed body is central to artistic expression and representation. Featuring contemporary and historic fashions that draw on a range of artistic inspirations—from Greek moulded cuirass armour and carved Roman sculptures to manuscripts, enamelled decorative figures, and grand painted canvases—this book explores symbolic and personal perspectives on the body through works by designers such as Madame Grès, Alexander McQueen, Rick Owens, and Madeleine Vionnet.

The publication reevaluates Western European representations of the body through the lens of age, size, gender, and disability. Stunning new imagery by artist Julie Wolfe, photographer Paul Westlake, and stylist, editor, and designer Nathalie Agussol shows the connection between art and fashion through collage, overlay, and juxtaposition. Revealing how the body impacts the way we dress and understand ourselves and others, Costume Art establishes fashion's role in art history alongside painting, sculpture, photography, and other mediums.

Published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art/Distributed by Yale University Press

Exhibition Schedule:

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

(May 10, 2026–January 10, 2027)

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781588398123

Publisher: Metropolitan Museum of Art

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 09 June 2026

Country: United States

Imprint: Metropolitan Museum of Art

Illustration: 327 color illus.

Contributors:

  • Contributions by Stephanie Kramer
  • Contributions by Stephanie Kramer
  • Contributions by Julie Wolfe
  • Introduction by Llewellyn Negrin
  • Epilogue by Andrew Solomon
  • Contributions by Nathan Rich
  • Contributions by Miriam Peterson
  • Contributions by Ayaka Iida
  • Contributions by Samar Hejazi

Audience: Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Width: 279.0mm

Height: 356.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 420

Collections

Andrew Bolton Arts & Culture LGBTQ+ Non-Fiction

About the Author

Andrew Bolton is Curator in Charge of The Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

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