Tom Baril

This remarkable monograph, both the first and last to be published by the renowned record label 4AD, marks a significant milestone and serves as the debut monograph by Tom Baril. This meticulously crafted book showcases the photographer's acclaimed platinum prints capturing the essence of New York and the delicate beauty of flowers, printed in stunning tritone. The design features a fine silk cloth-covered jacket, adorned with a tipped-in tritone plate on the cover and the title elegantly stamped on the spine; no dust jacket is included, as issued.

The book includes a list of plates and a biography, adding depth to the visual narrative. The volume is unpaginated, housing 81 tritone plates exquisitely printed on Monadnock Dulcet paper from negatives skillfully crafted by Robert Hennessy. Notably, this first edition is limited to 2500 copies, enhancing its rarity and collector's appeal.

A graduate of New York’s School of Visual Arts, Tom Baril spent over fifteen years as Robert Mapplethorpe’s master printer. His subjects include urban architecture, seascapes and meticulously detailed botanical and nature photographs. Baril’s work demonstrates a command of technique that results from his extensive experience as a master printer. Baril developed a unique toning process that enriches the color and opulence of his photographs.

Baril has enjoyed numerous solo exhibitions worldwide, and his work is in collections from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art to Amsterdam’s Stedelijk Museum among others. Two monographs have been published on his work, Botanica (Arena Editions, 2000); and the highly acclaimed 1997 self-titled monograph published by 4AD.