CORY REYNOLDS | DATE 11/22/2015

Henry Leutwyler: Ballet

Swiss-born Henry Leutwyler's 408-page, gold-edged, shimmering clothbound Ballet collects more than 200 exquisite behind-the-scenes photographs of the New York City Ballet practicing, resting, preparing and performing during the Winter 2012 season. Masterfully printed on gorgeous matte paper, the book is so thoroughly and perfectly inked that one can smell the saturation long before the covers part. In his introduction, Ballet Master in Chief Peter Martins remarks, "In my time leading the New York City Ballet I have collaborated with a wide range of artists—composers, scenic and lighting designers, conductors, costume and fashion designers, even an architect and a pop music icon. But never have I collaborated so extensively with a single photographer. … While entry behind the scenes has become more commonplace in today's age of all-access, we have never allowed the lens of a sole photographer to document our processes in such an intimate way… Henry's images depict a more atmospheric, and in some cases, abstract portrayal of our world. One that is experienced first-hand by a rare few. Juxtaposed with a selection of his stunning studio portraits, a true sense of the Company is achieved." See more books from our 2015 Holiday Gift Guide.