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Distributed for Reaktion Books

Francisco de Zurbarán and the Fabric of the World

A major re-evaluation of Francisco de Zurbarán, master of Spain’s Golden Age.

Francisco de Zurbarán painted with unmatched stillness and intensity. Famed for his monks, saints, and martyrs, he also created mesmerizing still-lifes, making fabrics shimmer and fruit glow with quiet presence. This book explores how Zurbarán’s art captures the spiritual inwardness of seventeenth-century Spain and places the artist within the mystical and contemplative culture of his time. From Seville’s cosmopolitan art market to moments of national crisis, Zurbarán’s devotional paintings offered visual consolation. Challenging the limits of genre, Zurbarán’s style reveals a distinctive still-life aesthetic across his work—deeply meditative, hauntingly beautiful, and spiritually attuned. A major reappraisal of a canonical painter, this book situates Zurbarán as one of early modern Europe’s most powerful artistic voices.

232 pages | 55 color plates, 5 halftones | 5.43 x 8.5 | © 2026

Renaissance Lives

Art: Art Criticism, Art--Biography


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Reviews

"With words of stillness, clarity and simplicity, perfectly complementing the images of Zurbarán himself, Robbins deftly unveils the occluded mysteries of this supreme master of Spanish piety."

David Howarth, University of Edinburgh

"Francisco de Zurbarán and the Fabric of the World presents an intriguing approach through the materiality and genres of painting, offering a journey through the artist’s entire career and emphasising the importance of the study of matter and the monumentalisation of still life through textures. This is an original approach that undoubtedly provides an interesting perspective in visual culture for discovering the Spanish artist and explaining his work."

Benito Navarrete Prieto, University of Madrid

"A perfect gateway into the world of Zurbarán, this book captures the essence of one of Seville’s greatest painters, celebrated for his stark, moving depictions of monastic life in seventeenth-century Spain. It invites readers not only to appreciate his mastery of light and realism but also to seek out his works at the Museo del Prado and the Monastery of Guadalupe, where the quiet spirituality of his paintings can be felt most deeply."

Xavier Bray, Director of the Wallace Collection, London

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