Michael Buthe is undoubtedly one of the most multifaceted artists of post-war German art. It is an artist’s life between concept and ecstasy, between Orient and Occident – and always in touch with his time. No body of works mirrors the stages of Buthe’s eventful career and life as emphatically and revelatory as his so-called diaries. As portable studios, they accompanied him around the world and through all stylistic phases. Now, this previously only partially published group of works opens the catalogue raisonné of this artist extraordinaire. It is not only a scholarly book of reference, but also a sensually illustrated monograph. On nearly 800 pages and with over 2,000 illustrations, insight is provided into every double and gatefold spread of Buthe’s exuberant folios.