The Folio Society Book of the 100 Greatest Portraits.
General Editor Martin Bailey
The Folio Society. Folio Society Hardback Edition second printing 2005
219 pages, 100 full page colour plates
Large hardback in very fine condition. Complete with slipcase that has discoloured to edges else very good
A curated survey of one hundred significant portraits spanning different eras, cultures, and artistic approaches, chosen to show how likeness can reveal power, personality, status, and shifting ideas of identity. The selection moves from early iconic forms to highly individual modern images, tracing how artists use pose, expression, and style to shape the way a life is seen and remembered. The Folio Society edition presents these works with careful commentary and high‑quality reproduction, allowing the nuances of each portrait to stand out. The accompanying notes highlight what makes each image historically or artistically important, turning the collection into both a visual anthology and a study of portraiture’s evolving purpose