The Painting of Modern Life re-examines what has been arguably the most influential development in the history of contemporary painting: the use and translation of photographic imagery. Beginning with seminal photo-inspired works from the early 1960s by painters such as Gerhard Richter, Vija Celmins, Andy Warhol and Malcolm Morley, this title charts the international evolution of this tendency over the past 45 years. Featuring 21 artists whose work draws upon varied photographic sources - from amateur snapshots to news and magazine pictures - this book explores how the significance and content of an image changes dramatically when it is translated into a different medium.It contains 5 essays by the curators, leading art experts and academics concentrate on different decades. The artists' plates are accompanied by short texts sourced from new interviews, referenced texts and essays, where the painters discuss their relation to photographic sources. Richly illustrated with over 100 paintings and source material, this book is a must for anyone interested in painting, photography, visual culture, contemporary history and fashion.