Skira is a prestigious Italian publishing house with an esteemed history spanning almost a century, specializing primarily in the publication of high-quality, luxury art books and cultural titles.
Historical Background
Founding: The company was founded by Albert Skira in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1928, and subsequently opened an office in Paris.
Artistic Legacy: In its early years, Skira collaborated closely with prominent artists such as Picasso and Matisse and became a key reference in the Surrealist movement.
Pioneering Quality: The house has always been renowned for the exceptional technical quality and innovative color reproduction of its books, setting an unprecedented standard at the time.
Current Headquarters: Since 1995, Skira has been primarily based in Milan, Italy, with additional branches in Geneva and Paris.
Areas of Specialization
Skira focuses on arts and culture, covering a wide spectrum from classical art to contemporary design. Its publications generally fall into four main, integrated categories:
Luxury Art Books: Producing high-end, visually rich art books.
Exhibition and Work Catalogues: Publishing official catalogues for major art exhibitions and “catalogue raisonnés” for artists’ works.
Limited Editions: Creating limited and bespoke editions for collectors.
Cultural Publishing: The house publishes titles on architecture, design, fashion, photography, cinema, archaeology, and more.
Skira publishes over 250 new original titles each year in multiple languages, including English, Italian, Arabic, Japanese, and others.
International Partnerships
Skira collaborates with many prestigious international museums and cultural institutions, acting as the official publisher for entities like the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Munch Museum, and the Gallerie d’Italia.
In short, Skira is a world-leading cultural authority, known for its rigorous editorial standards, impeccable print quality, and extensive collaboration with top global cultural figures and institutions.