All Good Things: A Treasury of Images to Uplift the Spirits and Reawaken Wonder

by Stephen Ellcock

In 2013 picture researcher and art publisher Stephen Ellcock began selecting imagery and posting them on his Visual Rapture Facebook page. Five years and 300,000 followers later, Ellcock has an international following who avidly await his daily uploads and his carefully curated and sequenced albums of images. His selections of little known and public domain imagery regularly attain thousands or shares or comments from all around the world. All give thanks for the uplifting nature of his selections. Taking his title from the first ever Encyclopedia in the English language, All Good Things (Omne Bonum) this new compendium of art and photography inspired by both the natural world and human endeavour will appeal both to his digital followers and our image-focused, solace-seeking times. Providing meditative focus and visual exhilaration - Ellcock celebrates our humanity and inspires us to wonder once more. All Good Things is structured to evoke the medieval tradition of exquisite, illuminated books - beginning with the universal and travelling through the realms of sky, sea, earth, science and humanity before ending amongst the angels and monsters that have so preoccupied artists over the centuries. Using found artwork from archives, libraries and little known collections of art, illustration, photography and textiles this is a glorious adventure; one that can be appreciated on many levels. There will be introductions to each chapter as well as recommended image lists for enjoyment, restoration, inspiration. Carefully selected quotes from poets from thinkers, writers and scientists will counterpoint images perfectly and add to the richness of this beautifully produced book.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Photography

320 pages, Hardcover

Published October 17, 2019

Reviews

[Dani Dányi · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his thoughtfully curated visual orgy of an album, Stephen Ellcock does us all a superb favor by handing over a sampler set of all the beauty and fascination of the world as it views itself, gift-wrapped.
Do yourself a favor, get a copy! It's sumptuous.

[Aabha Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can not explain the happiness this book brings me. It is a treasure. I agree. The images do uplift my spirits and awaken wonder.

I have a favorite reading nook. I look through a few pages every morning as I sit with my coffee. I always play Debussy in the background. My worries melt away and I start to become curious about the world. It sets me in the right mood for the day to come.

Now that I am done with it, I can go back to the beginning and start again. Definitely a great “coffee table” book. It also starts a lot of interesting conversations if you look through it with someone.

[Luce · Rating 5 out of 5]

if i could climb inside this book and live in it. i would

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Objective achieved: absorbing a chapter’s worth of images each night before drifting off to dreams, my spirits were lifted and I felt novel delight with nearly every page turn. I don’t care if the image selection or grouping is arbitrary; it’s a wonderful little collection and one I will return to often for inspiration.

[Georgie Fay · Rating 3 out of 5]

An incredible collection of images from all cultures around the world and responding to the creation story along with other mysteries of life. Plenty of pictures, so inspiring for my art practice and easy to read!

[Tim Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rather ordinary coffee table book.

[Hansu · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, but it felt a bit too basic and a bit chaotic - even though the author's intentions about the layout/composition were explained at the beginning. The short stories at the start of each chapter were very charming and indeed fitting - I enjoyed them thoroughly. After following Stephen Ellcock on fb/ig, I guess, I expected a slightly different thing. Would love if there were more pages, more stories and more illustrations - I am left with an awaken appetite now...

If a fan of his activity, you can support him on Patreon :)

If not a fan, I strongly recommend to become one! :))

As stated by some of his followers:

‘With all the shit that goes on in the world...there is this beauty and light and hope coming from one person that is able to see and to find it and showing it to us, spreading out to so many people of all nationalities..and it's all about art and from art ..art from all times and all cultures.’

‘Everyone should be following Stephen Ellcock on Facebook. No one puts the platform to better use. The man is a bottomless well of knowledge of the beautiful and profound.’

‘You really are the greatest source of inspiration & beauty. There are not enough thank yous in the world for all that you do.’

‘For all of you who don't know Stephen Ellcock I STRONGLY SUGGEST you follow him on Facebook. He is the High Priest of Social Media Curation and deserves a permanent spot at the Met. His news feed is a highlight on Facebook and represents the very best that FB and social media can be. Inspiring, educational, culturally on point and just all together AWESOME. This is one thing you will not regret.....’

....

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a marvelous book. I spotted this book online posted by Belmont Books in Portland, Oregon. I do not normally buy books from bookstores posted on Instagram, but the few images shared of the book were fascinating to me. I'm so glad I bought it on a whim.

Stephen Ellcock has compiled a collection of images that are beautiful, strange, off-putting, and marvelous and grouped them together into thematic sections, coupled with some of his favorite quotes and poems. He introduces each chapter one with a fable, myth, or fairy tales from around the world that relate to that section's theme.

I found several images that so interested me and provided me an outlet for future research. I'm absolutely entranced by the painting "Woman Before the Setting Sun" by Caspar David Friedrich c. 1818.

I loved the sections "The Face of the Waters," "The Face of the Earth," "The Vegetable Kingdom," but my absolute favorite was definitely "Heavenly Bodies," for the images of shooting stars and constellations.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys looking at unusual and intriguing pieces of artwork, reading myths, and poetry.

[King]

Oh I loved this so so much. I will return to it again and again, this I know. Where to begin... Well if you miss going to museums, this book fulfills that desire plus more. Ellcock, in the introduction, talks about how he has always been obsessed with finding patterns in images and he has collected thematically similar images from all over the world, time and type. From scientific images to masterpieces, i truly felt like I was going through a spiritual journey with this book. If you want your curiosity piqued and to be delighted, i would definitely recommend. I now have a host of topics and art eras i want to look up now.

[Arjun · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was suggested to me by my boyfriend and trust me its worth it. The collection of paintings really makes the book more valueable. so amany beautiful collection of paintings from THE Firmament to Visions of eternity everything is beautiful. Book have really amazing ancient art work from across the globe. One of my personal favorite painting in the book is Wind costume by Raimund von stillfred, there are so many images incliding renaissance paintings, scientific illusions, cultural paintings every chapter have something new. truly felt like i am going through a journey with the book. I totally recommend this book to people who love art and want to learn more about it.

[Rob O'Hearn · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 2013 I came across Stephen Ellcock's facebook account. He quietly curates an account of wide-ranging visual art: from all cultures, all periods, mostly obscure, all beautiful. He is now on Instagram and regularly brightens my day, rebalancing the social media dirge with uplifting, even joyful and stimulating visuals.
This book is Stephen's treasury of his favourites, wonderfully collected with (obscure but apt) quotes. A perfect gift, All Good Things is my current therapy, parked on a book stand in the centre of my house, it reignites my imagination regularly. A soothing cornucopia of gifts to the eye, brain and heart, for all who wonder. Art heals, and now is the time for healing.

[Phil Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having followed Stephen Ellcock on Facebook for a long time, I knew that I was very likely to enjoy this book. It did not disappoint. Themed chapters group a wide range of imagery under generous umbrellas of definition. Ancient 'folk' images sit alongside Renaissance paintings, scientific illustrations and a lot more. Beautifully realised and intelligently curated (but as a typographer, I have to observe that the bottom margin on the text pages is too small!). A treat.

[Jan Ayers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a treasure. I've been reading it slowly, dipping in and out over the past months. It's by my bedside so that I can return to it, especially in the middle of the night when I cannot sleep.

[Remco de Kok · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirerende Wunderkammer met schilderijen, tekeningen, gravures etc uit diverse culturen, periodes en contreien, gerangschikt rond thema’s als het heelal, de aarde, de natuur en het bovennatuurlijke. Inspirerend en verwonderend.

[Toke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Een fantastisch boek, dat me helemaal blij maakt. Ellcock laat je met verwondering kijken naar kunst en creatie, en zet zo - prachtig gecureerd - je eigen reflectie/creatieve/filosofisch proces in gang.

[Cleise Vidal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best great imaged

[Lorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book. So many beautiful images. And a great bibliography at the end. I don’t buy many books like this anymore, but I purchased this one.

[Lexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cool and different!

[Susan Tryforos · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book, full of exquisite images and enlightening text. A rare treasure.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful cabinet of curiosities in book form. With images from a number of countries and spanning the centuries, it's a well-curated book filled with images both familiar and new.

[Jordan Oosterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Treasury of images and wisdoms, curated side by side pulling different threads of human experience together across time and space. Taonga, wunderkammer.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of images, grouped into themes. A perfect kickstart for reflection and inspiration. I could use a little more quoted text, but what is there is fantastic.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

A feast for the eyes and spirit.

[faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

four stars. i would’ve liked to see more information on some of the pieces but overall it was a good read with some solid art and quotes.

[Juanjo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A divine experience of everything that is good 🔥💖 (And sometimes everything that is also bad)

[George Ashwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m having a great time rereading some old art books whilst I visit my mum

[1unaaaaa · Rating 3 out of 5]

not gonna lie it was kinda like reading one of my artsy tumblr mutual's blog.

[Ken Hada · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was gifted to me, and it keeps on giving. A fascinating work celebrating creativity, human achievement within and about the mysterious and wodrous cosmos we inhabit.

[Jeremy Wineberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I initially read though this book page by page but continue to pick it all the time. Each time I am pulled back into some amazing world or another in this compelling compendium of visual stories. It is a testament to human visual culture, in breadth and depth. It also helped be to realize the my dog is really an Iranian toe licking demon. We initially thought she was just another doodle. Go figure.

[LudmilaM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going through this book is like a stroll in a gallery focused on mythology and scientific and spiritual evolution of humanity. One of the most unique books Ive read this year. Composed of private collection of art pieces of the author.