This sumptuous survey of Cuban art reveals the development of a distinct national identity and serves as an illustrated narrative of the country's colourful past and present. Cuba's artistic tradition is as rich as its history, though its treasures are rarely appreciated outside the country. This book gathers paintings, drawings and photography from Cuba produced over the past century and half. In addition to hundreds of works on paper, it features revealing photographs ? some never before published ? that record the country's wars of independence and revolution, its utopian endeavours and social realities. Numerous essays explore aspects of the Cuban visual arts such as nineteenth century landscapes and photojournalism, the burgeoning of the arte nuevo period, Wifredo Lam's seminal African inspired images, the creation of the famed collective mural, Castro era poster art and the emergence of a new generation of artists. This book chronicles a unique culture of synthesis, born at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and the Americas, and whose art bears witness to important historical events of the past 150 years. AUTHOR: Nathalie Bondil is Director of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Canada. ILLUSTRATIONS 450 colour illustrations *
