Paul Duncan, the acclaimed author behind TASCHEN’s definitive The Star Wars Archives series, has returned with yet another monumental new publishing event developed in collaboration with George Lucas. The giant two-volume hardcover Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is available now on TASCHEN’s website. The extensive monograph brings together an unparalleled, sweeping collection of narrative art that traces the history of visual storytelling from ancient myths to modern blockbusters.
Spanning 832 pages across two massive hardcover volumes housed in a custom slipcase, the publication measures 24.3 by 30.4 cm and tips the scales at a hefty 6.13 kg. Priced at 175 euros plus shipping, the set is accompanied by an extensive online preview on TASCHEN featuring 38 photos showcasing the gorgeous cover and inside spreads.
The previewed pages offer a breathtaking visual pilgrimage through art history, opening with a personal preface by George Lucas himself, paired with artwork by one of his favourite illustrators – iconic American painter Norman Rockwell’s 1926 painting Bookworm. This is followed by a passionate foreword by filmmaker Guillermo del Toro alongside one of Frida Kahlo’s striking autoportraits and a Hellboy piece by comic book legend Mike Mignola.
The collection dives deep into narrative image-making across painting, illustration, photography, comics, and filmmaking, featuring plenty of Star Wars material as well.
That dedicated cinematic showcase highlights the foundational art of Star Wars through Ralph McQuarrie’s iconic production paintings of C-3PO and R2-D2 in the desert, alongside Olivia De Berardinis’s striking 2017 mixed-media tribute to Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia. Organizing works thematically, the book connects fine art and popular culture by spotlighting creators ranging from historical masters to commercial illustrators, comic creators, and photographers.
Alongside Lucas and del Toro, the publication features expert texts and contributions from Ryan Linkof, Senior Curator and Head of Film Programs at the museum, and editor Jessica Hundley, a renowned author and journalist. Together, this monumental two-volume monograph stands as a breathtaking celebration of the images that shape our shared imagination, offering a rare look at the creative process behind some of the most enduring narrative worlds in modern culture.