Customer Reviews

El Greco to Velazquez

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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.

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.

"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!