A School of Dolphins

There has never been an art book devoted to these beautiful and intelligent animals, although they have figured in Western iconography for more than two thousand years as religious and political symbols and as paradigms of grace. Charles Avery rectifies the oversight with an endearing book that combines charm, intellectual scholarship, and serious art history.

There are three good reasons for publishing a book on dolphins in art at this moment. First, there has never been an art book devoted to these beautiful and intelligent animals. Second, they have figured in Western iconography for more than two thousand years as religious and political symbols and as paradigms of grace. And third, sixty years ago they were adopted as the logo of Thames & Hudson.

The result is an endearing volume that combines charm, intellectual scholarship, and serious art history.

Charles Avery is a specialist in European sculpture, particularly Italian, French, English and Flemish. He was Deputy Keeper of Sculpture at the Victoria and Albert Museum and a Director of Christie's, and is now an independent historian, consultant, writer, and lecturer.