"Nothing seems to me the most potent thing in the world" —Robert Barry
At over 500 pages, The Defining of It… is the first comprehensive monograph to explore the Minimalist and Conceptualist work of Robert Barry (born 1936), a member of New York's avant-garde art scene best known for his language-based works and artist's books. Spanning from Barry's formative years in the 1950s to his pivotal contributions to Minimalism and Conceptualism in the latter half of the 20th century, this landmark publication offers an unprecedented look at the artist's evolution and legacy. Developed in close collaboration with the artist, the book presents a critical and far-reaching analysis of Barry's work alongside a rich and largely unpublished iconography sourced from international collections and the artist's personal archives.
FORMAT: Hbk, 6.5 x 9.25 in. / 544 pgs / 580 color / 180 b&w. LIST PRICE: U.S. $85.00 LIST PRICE: CANADA $125 ISBN: 9783753305080 PUBLISHER: Walther König, Köln AVAILABLE: 7/28/2026 DISTRIBUTION: D.A.P. RETAILER DISC: FLAT40 PUBLISHING STATUS: Active AVAILABILITY: In stock TERRITORY: NA LA ASIA AU/NZ AFR
Published by Walther König, Köln. Edited with text by Mathieu Copeland.
"Nothing seems to me the most potent thing in the world" —Robert Barry
At over 500 pages, The Defining of It… is the first comprehensive monograph to explore the Minimalist and Conceptualist work of Robert Barry (born 1936), a member of New York's avant-garde art scene best known for his language-based works and artist's books. Spanning from Barry's formative years in the 1950s to his pivotal contributions to Minimalism and Conceptualism in the latter half of the 20th century, this landmark publication offers an unprecedented look at the artist's evolution and legacy. Developed in close collaboration with the artist, the book presents a critical and far-reaching analysis of Barry's work alongside a rich and largely unpublished iconography sourced from international collections and the artist's personal archives.
