Hildegard Könighofer was born in Austria in 1954 and is widely known as one of the finest mineral artists in the world. Using watercolors and colored pencils exclusively, Könighofer creates all of her stunning paintings at life size and always works directly from the mineral specimen itself.

In 2009 she, and partner Dietmar Jakely, began working on a detailed book focused solely on her incredible paintings. In 2010, that book went to press just in time for the 2010 mineral show in Tucson.

Details of this book include:

• 224 pages of articles, paintings and contributions
• Opening chapter The Mineral Art of Hildegard Könighofer written by Wendell Wilson
• Foreword by Richard Göd
• Preface by Peter Seifert
• 149 pages of Könighofer's paintings at their original life-size
• Eight contributed articles including:
  • Science vs Aesthetics by Bernd Moser
  • Austrian Mineral Deposits and Occurences by Gerhard Niedermayr
  • Classic Mineral Finds from the Koralpe Mountain Range by Walter Postl
  • A Picture Gallery in Upper Austria?s Innviertel. Alpine Minerals in the Work of Hildegard Könighofer by Wolfgang and Helga Stöhr
  • Minerals from Romanian Ore Deposits by Simone and Peter Huber
  • The Mineral Flourite: A Great Diversity of Form and Color by Rober Brandstetter, Dietmar Jakely
  • Mineral Masterpieces: A Perspective by Daniel Trinchillo
  • Appropriation and Reproduction by Wenzel Mracek
• Available in Standard Edition or a Limited Edition
• Only 700 Standard Edition books have been printed
• Only 500 Limited Edition books have been printed
• Limited Edition books include:
  • Luxurious grey leather cover with black relief print
  • Slipcase with full color front to protect the book

This book is sure to be a classic book that belongs in the library of anyone who appreciates fine mineral art.