Madrid Chic

Madrid, a city that effortlessly blends rich history with modern vibrancy, is brought to life in Assouline’s Madrid Chic. This luxury coffee table book by Assouline captures the spirit of Spain’s capital through the lens of celebrated photographer Oliver Pilcher and the insights of Madrid expert Cristina Carrillo de Albornoz. From aristocratic heritage to contemporary artistry, this book immerses readers in the city’s cultural richness. Featuring exclusive narratives from prominent figures and poetic reflections from literary greats like Hemingway and Neruda, Madrid Chic is an essential addition for those who appreciate fine living, travel, and artistic expression.

More than just a book, Madrid Chic is a journey through the heart of Spain. Discover the city’s grand architecture, exquisite gastronomy, and avant-garde artistic movements. The pages unfold the beauty of Velázquez and Goya alongside contemporary masters, creating a compelling visual dialogue between the past and present. Whether as a statement decor piece or a collector’s treasure, this Assouline edition embodies the elegance and spirit of Madrid. Available at Spacio India, this exquisite book invites you to explore Madrid’s timeless charm from the comfort of your home.

Page count - 304 pages
Number of illustrations - Over 200
Language - English
Released on - October 2024
Dimensions - W 10 x L 13 x D 1 in
Cover materials - Hardcover

About the Author

Cristina Carrillo de Albornoz, born in Madrid and a former United Nations diplomat, is an independent art curator for museums around the world. As an art critic and author, she has contributed to publications such as Spanish, Italian, German, and Mexican Vogue; The Art Newspaper and The Observer in the UK; Beaux Arts and L’Œil in France; El País and AD in Spain; and La Repubblica in Italy. She has written numerous books, including Balthus: In His Own Words; Santiago Calatrava; Fernando Botero; Jorge Luis Borges & María Kodama: The Infinite Encounter; and Sorolla: A Vision of Spain, all for Assouline. She has curated exhibitions in major institutions around the world on Rubens, Balthus, Fernando Botero, Santiago Calatrava, Manolo Blahnik, Picasso, and Nobel laureate (literature) Gao Xingjian. Over the years, she has worked with Arthemisia, Italy’s leading company for organizing art exhibitions, as well as photography archive-management company Iconic Images. Her work includes partnerships with galleries such as Marlborough in New York and White Cube in London and collaborations with many artists and architects, chief among them Robert Rauschenberg, Frank Stella, Ai Weiwei, Harland Miller, Tadao Ando, and Zaha Hadid.

Born in Scotland, Oliver Pilcher studied sculpture at the Edinburgh College of Art before embarking on a career in photography that has taken him all around the world and given him the opportunity to shoot for some of the world’s finest brands. Oliver has been a contributing photographer at Condé Nast Traveler for over ten years. He currently divides his time between New York and Costa Rica with his wife, Abigail, and their four children, Andalucia, Bianca, Constantina, and Herbie. He previously worked with Assouline on the best-selling Paris Chic (2020) and has contributed photos to Louis Vuitton Manufactures (2022), Riva Aquarama (2022), Saudi Coffee (2023), Saudi Dates (2023), New York Chic (2023), Budapest Gem (2024), AlUla Old Town (2024), and The Peninsula London (2024).