Flying Too Close to the Sun: Myths in Art from Classical to Contemporary, published by Phaidon, is the first major survey that explores the significant impact of Classical mythology on art over the last 2,500 to 3,500 years, showing how ancient stories continue to inspire creativity and reflect the human condition across millennia of art. 

The book spotlights twenty-five of the most celebrated Greek and Roman myths – including Icarus, whose story is referenced on the book’s cover. The stories explore universal human themes like love and lust, envy and rage, rejection and loss, violence, and death, showing how relevant they remain today.

The book includes over 200 artworks, from paintings, sculptures, and etchings to photography, installations and video art. The book brings together works by famous masters such as Botticelli, Caravaggio, Michelangelo, and contemporary artists like Jeff Koons, Yayoi Kusama and Louise Bourgeois.

The book is carefully curated. The cover features a bespoke gold embossed illustration that creates the sun’s shape by using classical mythology elements. The inside was designed to develop a juxtaposition of old and new artworks, which helps to highlight not only the myths themselves but also how art has evolved over time, giving new life and relevance to even well-known pieces when seen next to modern and contemporary art.