Book Paris Saint-Germain: Impossible Collection by Assouline

Description

For six years, photographer Julien Scussel has had unprecedented access to the Parisian team and its players. No photographer has ever been so close to a professional football team made up of international stars always followed by cameras around the world. The result is a behind-the-scenes look at a project that forever changed the dimension of the iconic Parisian Club and its footprint in the world of sport and beyond. From there comes a one-of-a-kind book that brings together a series of shots that go beyond traditional sports photos.

Nothing is banal in this book. International football icon Pelé joins French author and screenwriter David Foenkinos - a loyal supporter of the club - to present and reveal faces and bodies that evoke all kinds of emotions page after page. From Paris and New York to Tokyo and Doha, all the figures who have contributed to the club's fame are present: Beckham, Ibrahimović, Cavani, Neymar Jr., Messi and Mbappé.

For David Foenkinos, who narrates the book: “The project promises to be a long-term vision. Of course, players are often photographed. At this level of fame, most of their lives become public. But here the project is unique in its artistic purpose. Some photos offer a close look, like a painting. We can see incredible details from big images. We think of Presnel Kimpembe's face when he waves to the supporters and shares his rage to win while we see his teammates celebrating the goal that has just been scored behind him. And how can we not think of this shot where the players enter the field in Singapore? The twilight crossing the scene provides added intensity to its beauty. We feel that the photographer is driven by a constant search for ideal lighting, in the manner of the great painters of the Renaissance. We are inspired by Géricault and Rembrandt in the use of chiaroscuro. In some photos, the players even make a nod to a form of mythology. Julien Scussel is concerned with bodies and veins like the sculptures of the gods of Olympus.

Only in Paris do the arts and sports appear so complementary. In just a few years, Paris Saint-Germain has become an icon of contemporary culture, a club of the new generation, which shines beyond the football fields and in everyone's imagination.

Limited to 1,000 numbered copies, this book is a must-have for all fans of the club. Illustrated with exclusive images that have never been seen before, this beautifully curated volume is hand-crafted and highlights the club's key players, matches and victories. Finished with hand-placed tip-on images, it comes in a glossy clamshell slipcase that makes it a volume to cherish for decades to come. This book is available in English and French.

Exclusive white gloves and canvas tote bag are included with every purchase of an Ultimate Collection book.

Details

• 240 pages
• More than 150 illustrations
• Book available in English and French
• Released in January 2023
  
• L 39.4 x W 47.3 x D 7.2 cm
• Handcrafted linen volume in a linen clamshell case
• ISBN: 9781649801579
• 9.0 kg