El Greco to Velazquez [Hardcover]

Laura Bass (Author), Antonio Feros (Author), Ronni Baer (Editor), Sarah Schroth (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 24, 2008

Philip III (1578-1621), so often dismissed in favor of Philip II and Philip IV, actually presided over an era of crucial artistic development in Spain. His reign was a time of cultural and political vitality for the Spanish monarchy, as the king and his court, having successfully maintained a peaceful foreign policy in Europe (the "Pax Hispanica"), ushered in a style of grandeur where fabulous gala celebrations, building campaigns, picture collecting, recreation and travel were the order of the day. Accordingly, the art of this period flourished, witnessing the birth of a naturalistic style that was variously reflected in a new attention to detail and spatiality in court portraiture, the thriving of still life, the humanizing of saints and the development of polychrome sculpture. Focusing on the careers of the mature El Greco and the young Velazquez, which bookend this exciting period of resurgent court culture, this volume also investigates the works of lesser-known but highly talented artists who exerted a critical influence on the development of Spanish painting. Essays by several noted scholars provide indispensable perspectives on the historical, literary, cultural and religious context in which these artists lived. The product of 20 years of research and illustrated with a sumptuousness befitting its subject, El Greco to Velazquez is sure to become a standard reference for enthusiasts of Spanish art.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Published to accompany a major traveling exhibition, this work records a fertile and innovative period in Spanish art history. The court of Philip III (1578–1621) ushered in a time of elaborate celebrations and religious festivals, a major expansion in new building, and an unprecedented rage for art collecting in the Spanish court. Spain's art became more naturalistic and expressive; the royal portraits are masterpieces of detailed elegance, and the religious figures have reality and solidity new to the genre. By treating not only the best-known artists but also less-well-known contributors to the changing approach to painting, Baer (senior curator, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston) and Schroth (senior curator, Nash Museum, Duke Univ.) offer a series of elegant and enlightening essays. This is far more than an exhibition catalog: it is an impressive exposition of a significant transition period in Spanish art and culture. With splendid illustrations (170 color plates), detailed biographies of the exhibited artists, and extensive notes, this is an important contribution and deserves a place in every art library, academic library, and large public collection.—Paula Frosch, Metropolitan Museum of Art Lib., New York
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Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: MFA Publications; 1 edition (April 24, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0878467262
• ISBN-13: 978-0878467266
• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 9.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #969,869 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Illuminating study of a critically important period, May 5, 2008

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: El Greco to Velazquez (Hardcover)

In addition to the artistic renaissance that was underway in late 16th and early 17th century Italy, a comparable movement was flourishing in Spain from 1598 to 1623 under King Philip. A time of cultural and political fervor, Spain was experiencing the evolution of a naturalistic style of painting that showcased detail and space in court portraiture, still life, religious themes, and the development of polychrome sculpture. While El Greco and Velazquez were two of the most notable figures in this era of the Spanish art world, "El Greco To Velazquez: Art During The Reign Of Philip III" covers not only these two legendary artists, but examines the works of lesser-known but highly talented artists who contributed to and influenced the development of the Spanish school of art. Knowledgeably compiled and deftly co-edited by Ronni Baer and Sarah Schroth, "El Greco To Velazquez" is enhanced with informed and informative essays by academicians and art history scholars Laura Bass, Antonio Feros, and Rosemarie Mulchay, as well as the co-editors Ronni Baer and Sarah Schroth. The beautifully illustrated text provides an historical, literary, cultural and religious context for this illuminated and illuminating study of a critically important period of Western Art History in general, and Spanish Art History in particular.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The king and his artists, October 24, 2008

By 

Claude Reich (Florianopolis, Brazil and Paris, France) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: El Greco to Velazquez (Hardcover)

The catalogue for a 2008 exhibition held at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, this book is centered on a period between 1577 and 1623, which corresponds to the reign of King Philip III. It is a very well documented book which benefits from a very high quality of reproductions, with many close-ups of details (especially of the works by El Greco which are kept in American museums, such as the View of Toledo, the Vision of Saint John or the Laocoön). The text is informative and easy to read, centering on the historical context, the personality of the king, the vision of power and of religion (both of which were the main concerns of any Spanish artist of the time), the religious or private patrons of the arts and the ideas that were developed among Spanish writers of the period. Outstanding is the chapter centered on portraiture, for which Spanish artists became unequalled masters.

An enlightening book, probably one of the best recent publications on Spanish art of the XVIth-XVIIth centuries.

5.0 out of 5 stars Spanish History, Artist Profiles, Collector Perspectives, and Religious Context, January 24, 2012

By 

Donald Mitchell "Jesus Loves You!" (Thanks for Providing My Reviews over 109,000 Helpful Votes Globally) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: El Greco to Velazquez (Hardcover)

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." -- 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV)

When this show was in Boston during 2008, I somehow missed it. Perhaps you did, too.

Having heard many good things about the show, I decided to read the exhibition catalog. What a pleasant surprise that brought!

Rarely have I seen so much interesting, thorough, and relevant content in a well-illustrated catalog. The curators of the show must have understood that many people (me included) don't know very much about Phillip III, the state of the Spanish monarchy at the time, how the great painters came to produce their works then, and the religious context of the Catholic Church's practices. Well, I drank deeply from the shared wisdom and came away with a lot more useful information than I had any reason to expect to gain.

If you think you might have any interest in El Greco and Velazquez, don't miss this catalog! Your interest and appreciation will definitely grow.

Bravo!