Book: Narcissus by Magnum's Stuart Franklin

Magnum photographer Stuart Franklin has spent the last three decades speeding around the globe, from Tiananmen Square during the 1989 demonstrations to Kiev for Wallpaper* in 2006 (W*94). But his latest venture was about staying put. Taken within just a few metres of his cabin in Norway, the hypnotic photographs that make up his new book, Narcissus, examine the way we search for our own image in nature. An extremely personal project for the photographer, Narcissus is only available for a few weeks (until 30th November). For 20 quick-off-the-mark Wallpaper* readers, Franklin will sign the book and offer a free limited edition print of 'Narcissus moonlight I' (below).
'The book is actually a first iteration - a way of laying down an idea that will grow into two exhibitions in 2012,' says Franklin, a co-owner and former president of Magnum. 'It's about the way nature - the landscape - can become mediated through photography to settle as an echo of ourselves: our thoughts, our emotions, our hopes and our fears.'
Reflected in the surface of a fjord and rotated from landscape to portrait, a mountain reads like a bishop in full religious robes. 'I took it in the moonlight, while in my dressing gown. It was the best way to get the right light on the mountain,' he explains. The meditative stillness of the landscape is also palpable in these extraordinary photographs.
Narcissus is the latest in a series of books by the photographer, two of which were born out of Wallpaper* features, including Hotel Afrique and Footprint: Europe's Changing Landscape. The new tome is available until 30th November from Blurb for £99.95. But, for the same price, 20 quick-off-the-mark Wallpaper* readers can get a signed copy plus a limited edition print of 'Narcissus moonlight I' by Franklin by emailing narcissusbook@gmail.com before 6pm on 30th November.
Please note: Wallpaper.com takes no responsibility for orders placed with external websites.
Inside the book: ’Narcissus moonlight I’ by Stuart Franklin, 2010, which the photographer is offering free to Wallpaper* readers who buy a signed copy of the book.
’Narcissus moonlight II’ by Stuart Franklin, 2010
’Holsvatnet V’ by Stuart Franklin, 2010.
’Holsvatnet willow IV’ by Stuart Franklin 2010
’Holsvatnet willow I’ by Stuart Franklin 2009
’Hiking boot and the mainland’ by Stuart Franklin, 2010
’Holsvatnet willow VI’ by Stuart Franklin, 2010.
’Narcissus 11,12,14,10’ by Stuart Franklin, 2010
’Self portrait, Øtroya’ by Stuart Franklin, 2010
’Holsvatnet birch forest I’ by Stuart Franklin, 2010
’Rope on a tree, Holsvatnet’ by Stuart Franklin, 2010
’The Ebony 8x10, Holsvatnet’ by Stuart Franklin
A rorschach image from inside the book Narcissus.
’Narcissus 14’ by Stuart Franklin, 2010.
’Holsvatnet mountain I’ by Stuart Franklin, 2010.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Malaika Byng is an editor, writer and consultant covering everything from architecture, design and ecology to art and craft. She was online editor for Wallpaper* magazine for three years and more recently editor of Crafts magazine, until she decided to go freelance in 2022. Based in London, she now writes for the Financial Times, Metropolis, Kinfolk and The Plant, among others.
-
A cavalcade of Kias is announced as the South Korean manufacturer bolsters its EV line-up
The 2025 Kia EV Day in Tarragona saw a new concept and new production cars as Kia moves into electric commercial vehicles and smaller family cars
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
'I'm trying to examine what it's like to be a person': Author Curtis Sittenfeld on her new book, 'Show Don't Tell'
As Curtis Sittenfeld publishes her new book, 'Show Don't Tell', she tells Wallpaper* why she is drawn to her ambiguous characters
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Waiting for Ideas have recast the turntable as a minimal aluminium altar for vinyl worship
The PP-1 turntable is an ultra-minimal, all-aluminium record player designed to enhance the vinyl experience
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Daniel Arsham’s new monograph collates the works of the auto-obsessed American artist
‘Arsham Motorsport’ is two volumes of inspiration, process and work, charting artist Daniel Arsham’s oeuvre inspired by the icons and forms of the automotive industry
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Era-defining photographer David Bailey guides us through the 1980s in a new tome not short of shoulder pads and lycra
From Yves Saint Laurent to Princess Diana, London photographer David Bailey dives into his 1980s archive in a new book by Taschen
By Tianna Williams Published
-
Inside Joan Didion’s unseen diary of personal relationships and post-therapy notes
A newly discovered diary by Joan Didion is soon to be published. Titled 'Notes to John', the journal documents her relationship with her daughter, husband, alcoholism, and depression
By Tianna Williams Published
-
Carsten Höller’s new Book of Games: 336 playful pastimes for the bold and the bored
Artist Carsten Höller invites readers to step out of their comfort zone with a series of subversive games
By Anne Soward Published
-
Distracting decadence: how Silvio Berlusconi’s legacy shaped Italian TV
Stefano De Luigi's monograph Televisiva examines how Berlusconi’s empire reshaped Italian TV, and subsequently infiltrated the premiership
By Zoe Whitfield Published
-
How a sprawling new book honours the legacy of cult photographer Larry Fink
‘Larry Fink: Hands On / A Passionate Life of Looking’ pays homage to an American master. ‘He had this ability to connect,’ says publisher Daniel Power
By Jordan Bassett Published
-
New Jay-Z coffee-table book dives into the Brooklyn rapper's archives
'Book of HOV: A Tribute to Jay-Z' is a hefty tome for a hefty talent
By Craig McLean Published
-
Discover Eve Arnold’s intimate unseen images of Marilyn Monroe
‘Marilyn Monroe by Eve Arnold’, published by ACC Art Books, is a personal portrayal of an icon
By Hannah Silver Published