Walton Ford: Pancha Tantra
At first glance, Walton Ford’s large-scale watercolors of animals may bring to mind the work of 19th-century illustrators such as John James Audubon and Edward Lear. But a closer look reveals a darker, more complex world—one filled with symbolism, sharp humor, and references to the dramatic traditions of natural history themes.
In Ford’s life-size works, animals are never just subjects to observe. They become active characters in allegorical struggles: a wild turkey crushing a parrot in its claw, monkeys tearing through a formal dinner setting, or a buffalo surrounded by bloodied white wolves. The book takes its title from The Pancha Tantra, an ancient Indian collection of animal tales that later inspired Aesop’s Fables.
This updated edition of Pancha Tantra is the most comprehensive survey of Walton Ford’s œuvre to date, featuring more than 20 new works. It offers striking details, an in-depth exploration of his visual world, a complete biography, and excerpts from the texts that inspired his art—from Indian folktales and the letters of Benjamin Franklin to The Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini and Audubon’s Ornithological Biography.
Details
- 512 pages
- Dimensions: 8.5" W x 6.25" D
- Hardcover
About The Author
The Artist
Walton Ford, born in 1960, studied filmmaking at the Rhode Island School of Design before turning to painting. For the past 25 years, he has created large-scale narrative watercolors. His work has been widely exhibited, including solo shows at the Hamburger Bahnhof in Berlin and the Brooklyn Museum in New York.
The Author
Bill Buford is a New Yorker staff writer and the founding editor of Granta, which he led for 16 years. His books include Among the Thugs and Heat: An Amateur’s Adventures as a Kitchen Slave. He lives in New York City with his wife and two sons.
Brand
TASCHEN began in 1980 as Benedikt Taschen’s small comic bookstore in Cologne and has grown into one of the world’s leading art-book publishers, celebrated for its dazzling, boldly designed volumes across art, architecture, photography, fashion, design, and pop culture. From pocket-sized books that helped democratize visual culture to SUMO-scale Collector’s Editions, TASCHEN remains committed to diversity, innovation, and treating every subject—whether a $10 title or a $10,000 masterpiece—with equal respect and craftsmanship.
Working closely with acclaimed creatives, the privately owned publisher has released thousands of titles in dozens of languages and now operates globally through an e-commerce site, international distribution network, and 12 flagship stores from Beverly Hills to Hong Kong. With teams spanning cultures, generations, and creative disciplines, TASCHEN fosters a down-to-earth, collaborative spirit while continuing to shape books that feel less like publications and more like immersive, museum-worthy experiences.
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