Art book publishing in the Netherlands

Abstract

Probably only about 5% of books published in the Netherlands are art books. There is a very limited demand for art books in the Dutch language; in order to sell in greater numbers, books have to be produced in English or in several languages, and/or as co-editions, while the domestic market is flooded by foreign imports including cheap remainders. In these circumstances the publication of art books depends on grants or on the income which some publishers earn from bookselling, printing, or other activities. Nonetheless a few, small, specialist publishers are producing art books of high quality, while some general publishers also publish the occasional art book. Museum publishing activities are considerable but are largely confined to exhibition catalogues.