Art International

Art International, also known as Art International Magazine, was an art journal devoted to international artists, exhibitions, and art-world events. The publication began in 1957 in Lugano, Switzerland, under the ownership, publishing direction, and editorship of James A. Fitzsimmons. Its international scope was reflected both in its title and in its coverage of artists and cultural developments beyond a single national art scene. During its early decades, the magazine was issued frequently, with ten issues appearing in each annual volume. Its publication history is organized through numbered volumes and issues, including Volume 5, Part 1, published from January through March 1961, and Volume 27, Issue 4, recorded in 1984. This numbering indicates that the journal maintained a substantial run and established a continuing presence in art publishing before later changes to its format and management. A major transition took place in 1987. The publication moved from Switzerland to Paris, France, and its release schedule changed from ten issues per volume to a quarterly cycle. At the same time, Michael Peppiatt succeeded Fitzsimmons as chief editor and publisher. Following the change in ownership or management, the journal was renumbered Volume 0, Issue 1, suggesting a deliberate relaunch or reset of its publication sequence. The Paris phase was associated with Archive Press. The relaunch continued through Issue 14 in 1991, the final year identified for the magazine's publication. Art International therefore belongs to the history of specialist art periodicals rather than to the modern commercial brand sector. It functioned as an editorial and reference platform, documenting artists and international art events for readers interested in contemporary art and the wider art world. No evidence in the available reference material indicates that it developed into a broader media group, consumer-product line, or currently operating digital brand. Its surviving volumes are primarily relevant as archival sources for the history of postwar art publishing.

Art International was established in 1957 as an art journal published in Lugano, Switzerland. James A. Fitzsimmons served as its first chief editor and publisher and is also identified as its owner during the initial period. The journal's editorial remit was international: it documented artists and art events rather than limiting itself to a single country or local art institution. The publication initially followed a relatively frequent schedule of ten issues per volume each year. Its surviving bibliographic record includes Volume 5, Part 1, dated January to March 1961, and Volume 27, Issue 4, published in 1984. These references show the continuity of the original volume sequence across several decades. The journal formed part of the specialist art-periodical environment that recorded developments in modern and contemporary art for an international readership. In 1987, Art International underwent a significant organizational and editorial transition. Publication shifted from Lugano to Paris, and the schedule was reduced to quarterly publication. Michael Peppiatt succeeded Fitzsimmons as chief editor and publisher. The journal was also renumbered, beginning again with Volume 0, Issue 1. This reset distinguished the Paris period from the earlier Swiss sequence and marked a new phase in the publication's identity and management. During this period, Archive Press is identified as the publisher. The Paris-based series continued to Issue 14 and remained in publication until 1991. No later publication history is identified in the available reference material, so Art International is treated as a defunct periodical rather than an active magazine brand. Its principal legacy is archival: the issues provide documentation of international artists, exhibitions, and art-world events, and the publication is relevant to scholarship on art journals and postwar art publishing. Available records also point to digitized or catalogued volumes, including material accessible through Google Books, but no current official website or successor operating entity is established by the source material.

• 1991

  Publication ends

  [1]Art Internationalen.wikipedia.org

  The Paris-era run continued through Issue 14, and the magazine's publication history ended in 1991.

• 1987

  Move to Paris and editorial succession

  [1]Art Internationalen.wikipedia.org

  Publication moved from Lugano to Paris, changed to a quarterly schedule, and came under the chief editorship and publishing direction of Michael Peppiatt. The numbering restarted at Volume 0, Issue 1.

• 1984

  Original numbering reaches Volume 27

  [1]Art Internationalen.wikipedia.org

  The original Swiss-era sequence is recorded at Volume 27, Issue 4.

• 1961

  Early volume sequence documented

  [1]Art Internationalen.wikipedia.org

  Volume 5, Part 1 was issued for the January–March period, illustrating the magazine's early multi-issue publication structure.

• 1957

  First volume published

  [1]Art Internationalen.wikipedia.org

  Art International began publication in Lugano, Switzerland, under chief editor, publisher, and owner James A. Fitzsimmons.

An internationally oriented specialist art journal documenting artists, exhibitions, and events for art-world readers and researchers.

• Art periodical · 1957

  Art International magazine

  The core offering was a specialist art journal covering international artists and art-world events. It was first issued in Lugano and appeared ten times per volume annually during the earlier period. After the 1987 move to Paris, it was issued quarterly and published under a reset volume sequence. The magazine remained the central and apparently exclusive product associated with the brand.

• 1987

  Relocation and frequency restructuringStrategy

  Background

  After three decades of publication in Lugano, Art International entered a new phase associated with Paris and a change in editorial leadership.

  Action taken

  The publication moved to Paris, changed from ten issues per volume to quarterly publication, restarted its numbering at Volume 0, Issue 1, and was published by Archive Press.

  Aftermath

  The Paris-era sequence continued through Issue 14 before the magazine ceased publication in 1991.

  Source

1. 1Art Internationalen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Art International volumes by yearbooks.google.com