Sacred Monsters, Sacred Masters. Beaton, Capote, Dali, Picasso, Freud, Warhol, and More

John Richardson.

Jonathan Cape. London. 2001. First edition, first impression. Hardback, octavo; black cloth-bound boards, dust jacket. 2 newspaper book reviews loosely inserted. xiv, 365 pages. Some monochrome illustrations. English. 240 x 150mm. 0.7kg. 9780224062558. Near fine, in near fine; small crease to rear top forecorner, slight dustiness to top edge, not price-clipped; no inscriptions.

A first edition of John Richardson's collection of essays presenting portraits of some of the most influential and controversial of the art world of the twentieth century. As well as chapters on those listed in the sub-title, there are essays on 'Sibyl Colefax, Lion Hunter', 'Bonnard's Amphibious Wife', 'Vita's [Sackville-West] Muddles', 'Peggy Guggenheim's Bed', and 'Anthony Hopkins's Stab at Picasso.' As the title suggests Richardson brings out the best and the (very) worst of his subjects.