Art of the Spanish in the United States and Puerto Rico

For more than three centuries after Columbus claimed America for King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, Spain dominated much of the New World. Following in the footsteps of the conquistadores, Spanish settlers carried their art, traditions and customs throughout the Americas as far north as what is now the United States.

In this volume Shirley Glubok explores the rich Spanish contribution to the arts of America by assembling a fine variety of art and architecture from Florida, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, California and Puerto Rico.

Here in stunning array are Spanish homes, churches, missions and forts, as well as furniture, embroidered wall hangings, hand-woven blankets and tinware. And, most distinctive of all, here are the charming santos, or holy images, that were carved and painted by New Mexican and Puerto Rican santeros to portray stories from the Bible or old Spanish legends.

Some of the objects shown are old, some of recent design; many have never been published before. Brought together and presented in vivid photographs and clear, lively text, they stimulate a new awareness and understanding of the Spanish heritage in America.