We are TASCHEN, a leading art-book publisher, and for over four decades, we've been on a mission to bring the dazzling and audacious world of eye-catching coffee table books to readers everywhere. It all started in 1980 when Benedikt Taschen, at the young age of 18, opened a small comic book shop in Cologne, Germany, to share his passion and extensive comic collection. This humble beginning soon blossomed into publishing, initially with catalogs to promote his wares, and then, with a keen eye for opportunity, by purchasing and reselling a large volume of art books. This early success paved the way for us to start reprinting books under our own name, making art more accessible to a wider audience. Our first original art book, a title on Picasso, marked a significant milestone.
Our core philosophy has always been to make lesser-seen art and imagery available to mainstream bookstores, and we've never shied away from potentially controversial subjects, including fetishistic imagery, queer art, historical erotica, and adult magazines, publishing them alongside our more mainstream books on comics, art photography, painting, design, fashion, advertising history, film, and architecture. We believe in treating every topic with the same respect, and we pour our hearts into producing, designing, and packaging each of our books beautifully and uniquely. Whether it's an oversized tome or a pocket-sized guide, our publications are available in various sizes and up to 30 languages, reflecting our commitment to reaching a global audience. Over the years, we've expanded our horizons to include new themes and series, such as our popular 'Basic Art' and 'Basic Architecture' series, each dedicated to individual artists and architects. We're proud to have publishing offices in key cities around the world, including Berlin, Cologne, London, Paris, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong, and a dedicated team of over 250 staff members worldwide, complemented by many freelance editors. As a family-owned publishing house, we've grown from our German roots to establish a global presence, and since 2014, we've been recognized as a world leader in the photo book sector. We aspire to be inclusive, independent, and inspirational in everything we do.