The art of painting in colonial Quito = El arte de la pintura en Quito colonial /

A record of paintings from the late 1500s to the 1800s, when movements for independence from Spain succeeded, The Art of Painting in Colonial Quito is an exquisite catalogue that carefully documents the rich, diverse variety of colonial works produced for Ecuador's capital. While the bulk of this art is religious in nature (intended to convert nonbelievers and to didactically reinforce religious values), many of the examples express the changing character of Ecuadorian ideals, people, and values. This volume gathers works from churches, museums, and private collections instead of simply representing public works seen in the city's various churches. Its strength, however, lies in its visual character: it is filled with beautiful, full-page color reproductions and details of more than 100 works. The book includes an introductory essay and an epilogue that explains the general historical issues that determined the work. In addition, the catalogue entries feature carefully prepared text by an international team of art historians who describe the works, contextualize them, and clarify some of their iconographies and their meanings. To extend its appeal and reach, the book features text in both English and Spanish. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-level undergraduates through researchers/faculty; general readers. L. E. Carranza Roger Williams University

Though Spanish colonial art was produced throughout the Americas, the few English-language books on this topic focus only on Mexico. (Michael J. Schreffler's The Art of Allegiance: Visual Culture and Imperial Power in Baroque New Spain and Donna Pierce's Painting a New World: Mexican Art and Life, 1521-1821 are two recent examples.) This volume, edited by Stratton-Pruitt (editor, The Virgin, Saints, and Angels: South American Paintings 1600-1825 from the Thoma Collection), is therefore a welcome addition to the study of Spanish colonial art. The book's six contributors are art historians from the United States, Ecuador, and Spain. It begins with an introduction to painting in colonial Quito, then continues with a catalog of over 90 works produced there in the 17th and 18th centuries, all illustrated in color. Rounding out the book are a concordance of artworks, a bibliography, and a bilingual index. The text throughout is bilingual (in both English and Spanish), ensuring a wider readership.Verdict The book's specialized focus will appeal to scholars in art history, Latin American studies, and religious studies.-Martha Smith, Elmira Coll., NY (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.