Customer Reviews

From El Greco to Goya: Painting in Spain 1561-1828 (Perspectives) (Trade Version)

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One of the preeminent Goya scholars, Tomlinson expands her expertise to provide an exceptionally readable and stimulating survey of a period that has traditionally been neglected within art history. Besides her clear, informative prose, the book's outstanding production values make it truly user-friendly.

Well organized and beautifully composed reproductions make this book an indispensable guide and/or introduction to the artists working in Spain from 1561-1828. The historical and political/social context of their works is explored as well as the evolving artistic vison and techniques that were developing during this period. Major influences from Italy and elsewhere are sited. A very enjoyable and enlightening book.

This book, on my course syllabus for a course on Spanish art , was a great addition to my library. Tomlinson is a scholar dedicated to giving the pertinent information in the proper art historical format without tireless embellishment. More on artists like Ribera or Zurburan would have rounded out the book but in all it is an excellent source for students writing papers and art historians looking for valid interpretations of Spanish artistic merit without bias. It was refreshing to read a book and not have the art continually compared to Italian & French painters. Instead it offers the reader very important information with excellent images of the Spanish contribution to world of art. Brava.

This is a very good, concise look at the painting in Spain from 1561-1828. Janis Tomlinson is very careful to point out the problems with the term "Spanish painting" and tries to go beyond this idea, and to discuss painting in Spain. She chooses to not discuss the Spanish born Jusepe Ribera (as he was mostly active in Italy) but does look at painters from France and Italy who worked in Spain. Tomlinson also tries to get away from stereotyped views of Spanish painting being only somber and religious. I liked how the history of Spain and of Europe was tied into the painting in Spain. The patrons of artists in Spain were also talked about, what they wanted and how they reacted to different artists. Many painters are discussed, even ones whose work is not often seen outside of Spain. The book is has lots of illustrations, not only of paintings but of places. There is also a handy map of Spain in the front of the book. The pictures are naturally on the small side, since this book is rather small, and the pictures rarely take up the whole page. Tomlinson is a good writer, the book is quite readable and enjoyable.