Latin American art of the twentieth century is exceptionally rich and varied. The twenty countries that make up the vast cultural area have each evolved a unique artistic heritage from a blend of European, African or indigenous influences, combined with the unpredictability of individual genius. This book is the first comprehensive survey of the whole field to be published in English; and because each of the contributors is an expert on his or her own national art, it is the first to present a genuinely Latin American viewpoint. The seventeen scholars, critics and curators (see back flap) provide an exciting and challenging new assessment of this important and increasingly popular field. Major figures such as Wifredo Lam, Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and Fernando Botero are seen in a wider context, and the less well-known artistic heritage of countries such as Ecuador, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Paraguay and Bolivia will be a revelation to many readers. The range and quality of the work produced in the course of the century is represented by over 300 outstanding images, many previously unpublished or little known. Combined with texts by authors who speak with the authentic voice of their own culture, this volume presents a comprehensive and ground-breaking overview of some of the most exciting art of the twentieth century.
