I’ve been intrigued with Henry Darger’s work since seeing the excellent documentary, In the Realms of the Unreal, a few years ago. Darger epitomizes the “outsider artist” due to the fact that he worked as a janitor up until his retirement and his paintings were not found until after his death. Maybe that’s why this new book, Henry Darger by Klaus Biesenbach, and his paintings in general feel like a lost treasure.

The innocence of his characters (mostly young girls engaged in battles) help contribute to the feeling you are looking at something magical. This large-format coffee table book is beautifully done, with 304 pages and double page and gatefold spreads. The book is available through Prestel and Darger’s work can also be seen at The American Folk Art Museum in New York through September 13, 2010.

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