This sixth volume of Edward Ruscha: Catalogue Raisonné of the Paintings documents the 227 paintings, and studies for paintings, made between 1998 and 2003. Though a number of these works refer in some degree to Ruscha's output of the past two decades, the period inaugurates two major series-the "Metro Plots," which diagram streets in Los Angeles and American cities, and the celebrated "Mountain" paintings. A third series, loosely grouped, takes books as its subject. This period is also notable for the appearance of the first of the "Course of Empire" paintings, with which the artist would represent the United States at the 51st Venice Biennale in 2005. As in previous volumes, included are numerous documentary photographs, a selection of Ruscha's sketchbook pages, and complete bibliographic references and exhibition histories.

Ed Ruscha was born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1937 and grew up in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He moved to Los Angeles in 1956 and attended Chouinard Art Institute from 1956 to 1960. Since then his work has been exhibited internationally and is represented in major museums and private collections throughout the world.