Niki de Saint Phalle – a rebel and visionary of 20th-century art. From her joyful, curvaceous “Nanas” to her provocative and deeply personal works, Niki de Saint Phalle broke boundaries and defied conventions.

This volume of the Hatje Cantz A–Z series presents a playful yet profound exploration of Saint Phalle’s multifaceted career. Structured like an alphabet, it highlights her key themes and works, from “AIDS” to “Vanitas” and “Brides” to the “Zürich Angel.” This book captures the energy, rebellion, and artistry of one of the most innovative female artists of the modern era.

• A rebel artist: From her colorful “Nanas” to thought-provoking societal critiques.
• Playful yet profound: An alphabetic exploration of her diverse artistic legacy.
• Compact and engaging: A must-read for fans of modern and feminist art.

Compact and inspiring art history

The Hatje Cantz A–Z series presents the great artists of art history in a compact and engaging format. Each volume offers biographical insights, surprising details, and fascinating perspectives on their work. With its clear structure and handy format, the series is the perfect companion for art enthusiasts, collectors, and curious minds alike.

NIKI DE SAINT PHALLE (1930–2002) was one of the most important artists and sculptors of her generation. Growing up in Paris and New York, she returned to Paris in the 1950s, where she began her artistic career with her legendary “shooting” series. Her sensual female figures, the Nanas, gained her widespread popularity. 

Art scholar KATHARINA SYKORA (*1955) was a professor at the University of Bochum and Braunschweig University of Art from 1994 to 2018. Her fields of research include the construction of authorship, gender and transmediality.