Hartmann Books

Hartmann Books is an independent publishing house specializing in photo books and artist publications, founded and directed by Angelika and Markus Hartmann in Stuttgart. The program focuses on conceptually and formally ambitious projects at the intersection of photography, contemporary art and visual culture, with a strong emphasis on artistic autonomy and editorial rigor.
The list covers a wide spectrum of subjects including art, politics, socially relevant issues, literature, history, architecture, popular culture, film and theatre, reflected in a carefully curated program of 10–12 new titles and some limited editions per year. Each publication is individually developed in close collaboration with the artists and authors, with format, design and materiality tailored to the respective project.

Since its inception, Hartmann Books has published 142 titles, 110 of which are currently available (status: February 2026). A substantial share of the house’s resources is dedicated to international communication and distribution: intensive press and media work, the development of long-term relationships with bookshops and museum stores, as well as the continuous expansion of distribution networks.

The publishing program has received significant national and international recognition. Hartmann Books’ titles have been awarded by Stiftung Buchkunst (2018, 2022, 2025) and the German Photobook Award (2024, 2025, 2026), among others. Christian Rothe’s title “Buchenwald” was named “Most Beautiful German Book” by Stiftung Buchkunst in 2025 and is currently shortlisted in the competition for the “Most Beautiful Book of the World”.