Book: Narcissus by Magnum's Stuart Franklin

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The cover of the book Narcissus by Stuart Franklin.
Cover of Narcissus by Stuart Franklin, 2010. All photographs in the book were taken on the island of Øtroya, Norway
(Image credit: TBC)

Magnum photographer Stuart Franklin has spent the last three decades speeding around the globe, from Tiananmen Square during the 1989 demonstrations to Kiev for Wallpaper* in 2006 (W*94). But his latest venture was about staying put. Taken within just a few metres of his cabin in Norway, the hypnotic photographs that make up his new book, Narcissus, examine the way we search for our own image in nature. An extremely personal project for the photographer, Narcissus is only available for a few weeks (until 30th November). For 20 quick-off-the-mark Wallpaper* readers, Franklin will sign the book and offer a free limited edition print of 'Narcissus moonlight I' (below).

'The book is actually a first iteration - a way of laying down an idea that will grow into two exhibitions in 2012,' says Franklin, a co-owner and former president of Magnum. 'It's about the way nature - the landscape - can become mediated through photography to settle as an echo of ourselves: our thoughts, our emotions, our hopes and our fears.'

Reflected in the surface of a fjord and rotated from landscape to portrait, a mountain reads like a bishop in full religious robes. 'I took it in the moonlight, while in my dressing gown. It was the best way to get the right light on the mountain,' he explains. The meditative stillness of the landscape is also palpable in these extraordinary photographs.

Narcissus is the latest in a series of books by the photographer, two of which were born out of Wallpaper* features, including Hotel Afrique and Footprint: Europe's Changing Landscape. The new tome is available until 30th November from Blurb for £99.95. But, for the same price, 20 quick-off-the-mark Wallpaper* readers can get a signed copy plus a limited edition print of 'Narcissus moonlight I' by Franklin by emailing narcissusbook@gmail.com before 6pm on 30th November.

Please note: Wallpaper.com takes no responsibility for orders placed with external websites.

A rorschach image from inside the book Narcissus.

Inside the book: ’Narcissus moonlight I’ by Stuart Franklin, 2010, which the photographer is offering free to Wallpaper* readers who buy a signed copy of the book.

(Image credit: TBC)

A rorschach image from inside the book Narcissus.

’Narcissus moonlight II’ by Stuart Franklin, 2010

(Image credit: TBC)

’Holsvatnet V’ by Stuart Franklin, 2010. A rorschach image from inside the book Narcissus.

’Holsvatnet V’ by Stuart Franklin, 2010.

(Image credit: TBC)

’Holsvatnet willow IV’ by Stuart Franklin 2010. A black and white image of a lake with trees and a mountain behind it.

’Holsvatnet willow IV’ by Stuart Franklin 2010

(Image credit: TBC)

’Holsvatnet willow I’ by Stuart Franklin 2009. A lake with trees and a hill behind it.

’Holsvatnet willow I’ by Stuart Franklin 2009

(Image credit: TBC)

’Hiking boot and the mainland’ by Stuart Franklin, 2010. A photo of a mans leg and boot with trees behind it.

’Hiking boot and the mainland’ by Stuart Franklin, 2010

(Image credit: TBC)

’Holsvatnet willow VI’ by Stuart Franklin, 2010. A lake with snow on its shore.

’Holsvatnet willow VI’ by Stuart Franklin, 2010.

(Image credit: TBC)

’Narcissus 11,12,14,10’ by Stuart Franklin, 2010. Four of the same rorschach images in a row.

’Narcissus 11,12,14,10’ by Stuart Franklin, 2010

(Image credit: TBC)

’Self portrait, Øtroya’ by Stuart Franklin, 2010. A mans shadow on a forest floor.

’Self portrait, Øtroya’ by Stuart Franklin, 2010

(Image credit: TBC)

’Holsvatnet birch forest I’ by Stuart Franklin, 2010. A forest floor.

’Holsvatnet birch forest I’ by Stuart Franklin, 2010

(Image credit: TBC)

Ropes and a winch tied around a tree with the forest behind it.

’Rope on a tree, Holsvatnet’ by Stuart Franklin, 2010

(Image credit: TBC)

’The Ebony 8x10, Holsvatnet’ by Stuart Franklin. A screen on a tripod with an image on it.

’The Ebony 8x10, Holsvatnet’ by Stuart Franklin

(Image credit: TBC)

’Narcissus 10’ by Stuart Franklin, 2010. A rorschach image from inside the book Narcissus.

(Image credit: TBC)

’Narcissus 11’ by Stuart Franklin, 2010. A rorschach image from inside the book Narcissus.

A rorschach image from inside the book Narcissus.

(Image credit: TBC)

’Narcissus 14’ by Stuart Franklin, 2010. A rorschach image from inside the book Narcissus.

’Narcissus 14’ by Stuart Franklin, 2010. 

(Image credit: TBC)

A mountain with a snowy plane in front of it.

’Holsvatnet mountain I’ by Stuart Franklin, 2010.

(Image credit: TBC)
Malaika Byng

Malaika Byng is an editor, writer and consultant covering everything from architecture, design and ecology to art and craft. She was online editor for Wallpaper* magazine for three years and more recently editor of Crafts magazine, until she decided to go freelance in 2022. Based in London, she now writes for the Financial Times, Metropolis, Kinfolk and The Plant, among others.