Art book publishing in italy: The 1990s

Abstract

Changes taking place in Italian publishing include the decline of old family firms and the amalgamating of publishing in a relatively few, large companies with interests in other fields of activity. Art publishing is largely monopolised by a small number of big publishing groups based in Milan, although some smaller firms produce art publications, generally of local interest, elsewhere, and a number of medium-sized family or specialised businesses remain active in this field. Another, perhaps unique, feature of Italian art publishing is the production of art books financed by banks and used by them for promotional purposes. Initially hard to get hold of, these publications — sometimes in the form of a second, public, edition – are becoming more available, and are now the subject of a bibliography.