Spain and the Hispanic world: treasures from the Hispanic Society Museum & Library

Abstract

The Hispanic Society of America in New York is the vision of Archer M. Huntington (1870-1955). From an early age, Huntington developed an abiding love both of Hispanic culture and of museums and libraries. He resolved to devote his considerable fortune to combining these two passions, and carried out his project so resourcefully that the collections he assembled remain exceptional for their depth and richness, displaying the culture of Spain and Latin America in the broadest sense. Their scope ranges from the prehistoric era to the early 20th century, including antiquities, decorative arts, Islamic works, manuscripts and rare books as well as superb canvases by Old Masters such as El Greco, Velázquez and Goya. This handsome new publication features an introduction to Archer M. Huntington and the Hispanic Society by Patrick Lenaghan, the Society's Head Curator of Prints, Photographs and Sculpture, and plates and catalogue entries on some of its greatest treasures by the Society's curators.