Art and Faith in Mexico: The Nineteenth-Century Retablo Tradition
The tin retablo, or sacred painting on tin, combines Mexican and  European influences to create a vital and unique art form that  flourished in Mexico during the second half of the 19th century  and the early 20th century, years of political turmoil that saw  some religious practice moved from the church to the home. The  richly varied retablo tradition continues to the present, making  this book valuable in providing a current as well as a historic  understanding of Hispanic culture in Mexico and New Mexico. With  over 1700 objects, New Mexico State University (NMSU) holds the  largest collection of retablos of any museum in the United  States. NMSU art historian Zarur and NMSU gallery director  Lovell have gathered 11 eminent Latin Americanists to study this  collection from the standpoint of art history, history,  anthropology, folk art, and religion and bring us a new  appreciation of these paintings. In addition to essays and the  catalog of works, the book includes 125 beautiful color plates  and 64 halftones, discussions of restoration philosophy and  conservation methods, a glossary, a chronology, maps, and a  comprehensive section on the art and iconography of each object.  Other books have been published on the subject, but since 1975  there has been no substantive scholarly research on the  extensive NMSU collection. For all regional libraries, large  public libraries, academic libraries, and specialized  collections in art, anthropology, religion, or Latin American  studies. Sylvia Andrews, Indiana State Lib., IndianapolisCopyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.