I am a huge reader and I am also a retired dancer. Not retired in the sense that I ever had a career in dance, but retired in the sense that I am no longer actively training. Anyway, one thing I love to do is merge my many interests together, in this case, books and dance. Big books to be precise. Throughout my life, I have developed quite a collection of coffee table books about dance that are full of amazing photography and beautiful dancers!
For me, books can be a form of entertainment and a home decor item. My bookshelves lined with a colorful array of books definitely add color and structure to my home. I don’t know how else I would fill my walls if it weren’t for my books.
With coffee table books, I can both display my love of reading and my love of dance. It’s like a two-for-one deal. Imagine walking into a home and seeing a book full of gorgeous imagery and beautiful writing all dedicated to the performing arts. Yeah, that’s probably not everyone’s dream, but it’s mine. And I am sure there are others out there just like me.
So, if you are looking for some coffee table books about dance, this is the article for you! These are the best ones I have ever seen and would be perfect for any dancer or ballerina’s home.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I make a small commission through these links with no impact on your purchase. Please click here for more information.
What are Coffee Table Books?
Coffee table books are large tomes, often filled mainly with images and minimal writing. They are created specifically to be displayed on a coffee table, hence the name. These books are not meant for sitting down and reading, like stories of fiction. They are meant to be flipped through on a whim, while your partner cooks dinner or during a commercial while watching TV.
People tend to use coffee table books to express things they are interested in. Whether it be a book dedicated to Renaissance artists or a book all about the different Marvel characters, the choice of which coffee table book you choose is personal and exciting. It is just another way to express yourself through home decor.
I don’t actually know whether coffee table books are trendy anymore. But as a maximalist myself, I love them. They add color and structure to my living room and are great conversation starters whenever I have guests over, which is rare because I am an introvert.
These books make great gift ideas for dancers. I have added so many of these coffee table books about dance and ballet to my collection over the years because of generous gifts from loved ones. When you are someone obsessed with dance, you want to consume everything and anything that has to do with it. These books are a great way to do just that.
Coffee table books are also a fantastic addition to any dance studio lobby. Young dancers can enjoy images and information about some of the most prominent people in the art form they love. It can lead to inspiration and excitement from the student and parents!
Recommendations for Coffee Table Books About Dance
1. The Art of Movement by Ken Browar and Deborah Ory
This was one of the first coffee table books about dance that I added to my collection, and it is one of the best. This book features incredible dance photography and imagery, unlike anything I have ever seen before. The book includes images of dancers from the American Ballet Theater, New York City Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Martha Graham Dance Company, Boston Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, the Royal Ballet, and more. These are some of the most famous and renowned dance companies in the world, and it shows on the page. The photographer definitely captures the grace and movement of the dancers beautifully.
Click here to check out this book on Amazon!
2. The Style of Movement: Fashion and Dance by Ken Browar, Deborah Ory, Pamela Golbin, and Valentino
Coming from the same creators as the last book, this is another stunning example of the beauty of dance. This coffee table book focuses on the fashion aspect of the performing arts. It is filled with hundreds of images of dancers in fantastical and exciting costumes. The photographer is again able to capture the movement of these dancers and the costumes, which is a pleasure to see.
This book would be perfect for both dancers and fashion fans! The clothing alone is a site to see.
Click here to check out this book on Amazon!
3. Dance History of Harlem: A History, A Movement, A Celebration by Judy Tyrus and Paul Novosel
This book is dedicated to the first African-American dance company in the 1960s, Dance Theatre of Harlem. It features the beautiful history, performances, and dancers that created a force in the dance world. This book covers the history of the company from its origins to the present day. Both the imagery and content in this book are inspiring for any dancer.
Click here to check this book out on Amazon!
4. Ballet: The Definitive Illustrated Story by DK and Viviana Durante
If you are looking for something with a little more history content, I would check out this coffee table book about ballet. In this, you get a lot of substance about the creation of one of the most prominent forms of dance, along with illustrative and photographic imagery behind these iconic moments in dance history. This book is great for young dancers who want to learn more about the performing art that they love.
Click here to check out this book on Amazon!
5. Dance Vision: Dance Through the Eyes of Today’s Artists by Joshua Teal
In a different view of dance, this coffee table book takes a more modern look at that art form. Featuring 50 contemporary artists from around the globe, this book takes a look at the art of dance in today’s world. This is another great one for young dancers, inspiring them to continue working towards a goal that is achievable.
Click here to check out this book on Amazon!
6. Dancing With Cats by Burton Silver and Heather Busch
Anyone who has seen a cat move knows they are incredibly graceful. The way their body moves through small spaces looks like a choreographed movement. For anyone who loves dance and cats, this book is the one for you. Filled with images of dancers and cats moving together, it is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
Dance is supposed to be a fun activity. I know training for something this physical can feel difficult and exhausting. But I am always a proponent of adding a little fun to even the most difficult aspects of life. Looking at these images of cats jumping and dancing with humans does just that. Reminds me that we are all just creatures on this earth.
Click here to check out this book on Amazon!
7. Ballerina: Fashion’s Modern Muse by Patricia Mears, Laura Jacobs, Jane Pritchard, Rosemary Harden, Joel Lobenthal, and Hamish Bowles
Another book perfect for dance and fashion lovers! This book takes a look at how dance, particularly ballet, has influenced other forms of art and culture. It looks into the world of fashion and all of the ballet inspirations you can find there, which I personally think is a fascinating topic. The imagery of both fashion and performers is gorgeous.
Click here to check this book out on Amazon!
8. Degas, Painter of Ballerinas by Susan Goldman Rubin
For lovers of both the performing arts and the fine arts, this is the coffee table book for you. Degas quickly became one of my favorite artists growing up when I first saw his work dedicated to dancers. He has the ability to portray long hours in a studio, the community of dance, and the exciting buzz of being on stage. I adore his work.
This book is dedicated to Degas, his fascination with ballet and his portrayal of that through art. It has a mix of art history and dance with many examples of Degas’ work.
9. Movement at the Still Point: An Ode to Dance by Mark Mann and Chita Rivera
Focused on the dancers behind the incredible performances, this book is dedicated to portraits of performers taken by Mark Mann. It gives a more human aspect to the almost otherworldly quality that dancers often take on stage. Mann is still able to capture to dynamic movement of these dancing bodies as well.
Click here to check out this book on Amazon!
One of my favorite aspects of the performing arts is its ephemeral quality of it. While watching a performance, the moment is gone as quickly as it arrives. You have to be there to experience it.
However, with cameras, it can make the performing arts a little more accessible. A young student can see what the American Ballet Theatre is doing from their home anywhere in the world. That’s so exciting for the dance community.
There are so many incredible dance photographers that are contributing to this art form. It is really exciting to see, I love how it has been translated into these coffee table books for dance. Brings something very large and shrinks it into the average person’s living room. Very cool!
