The story
1. Origins and Philosophy
Founded in May 2004, Damiani publishing house was born within Grafiche Damiani, a historic Bologna-based lithography studio established in the 1950s, specializing in printing art and photography books. Building on this tradition, Andrea Albertini created an independent publishing house that blends technical expertise and craftsmanship with a contemporary vision, attuned to new trends and visual languages. Since 2019, the publishing house has been led by Silvia Pesci, who has continued to uphold the same principles of excellence and innovation following the passing of her husband.
Our editorial philosophy favors quality over quantity: each book is the result of a careful selection process and meticulous attention to every detail.
Andrea Albertini, the founder, and Silvia Pesci, the current CEO of Damiani
2. Collectible Objects, Stories to Preserve
Our mission is to offer books that are both visual narratives and prestigious objects—capable of telling untold stories, engaging seasoned collectors, and touching a wider audience. Today, Damiani publishes major monographs and thematic books across a wide range of subjects, including photography, architecture, design, reportage, pop culture, fashion, collecting, and sports. This reflects the richness and diversity of our editorial approach, as well as our commitment to socially relevant themes such as minority rights and LGBTQ+ issues. A testament to our passion for innovative projects and unconventional visions, since 2012 we have been the publisher and partner of Toiletpaper, the magazine born from the irreverent imagination of Maurizio Cattelan and Pierpaolo Ferrari.
Each Damiani book is designed to be experienced, displayed, and shared.
Andrea Albertini and Joel Meyerowitz working on the book Cézanne's Objects, published by Damiani Books in 2017
Michael Stipe working on his book Michael Stipe, published by Damiani Books in 2021
3. Authors, Vision, and Italian Style
We are Italian, and proud of it: all of our books are conceived, produced, and printed in Italy—a guarantee of meticulous attention to detail, craftsmanlike quality, and editorial care. We offer artists a personal and collaborative relationship, supporting them through every phase of the publishing process—from concept to launch to promotion. This approach has allowed us to work with some of the most important figures in photography and contemporary art, including Joel Meyerowitz, Susan Meiselas, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Marina Abramović, Martin Parr, Roger Deakins, Michael Stipe, Danny Lyon, and Lee Quiñones. Emerging talents such as Joshua Charow, Luke Gilford, and John Dolan have also found in Damiani a starting point for growth and recognition.
We also collaborate with some of the world’s most prestigious venues, from leading bookstores to major museums and respected photographic institutions. Our books have been presented at iconic locations such as BookMarc and Rizzoli Bookstore in New York, the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, and the French Academy at Villa Medici in Rome. We have organized exhibitions and events at cultural institutions like The Broad Museum in Los Angeles and the Cineteca di Bologna, and we work closely with prominent photographic organizations such as Fotografiska in Stockholm, the International Center of Photography in New York, and Obscura Gallery in Santa Fe.
Andrea Albertini with Martin Parr and Derek Ridgers
Joel Meyerowitz and Eleonora Pasqui, Chief Editor at Damiani, at Paris Photo for a book signing at the Damiani booth