Splendor of Cuba

Author: Michael Connors

At a time when hope is in the air that travel to Cuba may soon be possible again for aver- age Americans, “The Splendor of Cuba: 450 Years of Architecture and Interiors” offers a different view of the island’s culture.

If you’ve seen exhibitions and books of formerly beautiful, gently deteriorating Cuban architecture, this 320-page coffee-table book by Michael Connors (ISBN: 978-0-8478-3567- 6, price $85.00) will be a quiet revelation.

“The Splendor of Cuba” preserves the well-preserved opulence of colonial Spanish Creole aristocracy, with its Mudejar craftsmanship, classically inspired grand mansions and baroque palacios, coffee plantations, and the sugarcane plantations known as ingenios.

Exceptional preservation work has kept these villas in their magnificent original state, and the photographs, shot exclusively for this book mainly by Brent Winebrenner, show examples in each area of the island — from the interiors and exteriors in Havana, Santiago de Cuba, Santa Clara, Cien-fuegos and Pinar del Río, to close-up details of courtyards, balconies, galleries, balustrades, grilles and louvered doors in Trinidad, Matanzas and Holguín.

Also included is Ginca Vigía, the former residence of Ernest Hemingway.

Connors, an expert in Caribbean antiques and architecture, has over 30 years of experience in writing, consulting and teaching in fine and decorative arts.

Connors contributes to many publications including Art & Antiques, Antiques and Fine Art and The Magazine Antiques and has written many books including Caribbean Houses: History, Style and Architecture and British West Indies Style, also published by Rizzoli.

Details: Pam Sommers, Executive Director of Publicity, Rizzoli USA, 300 Park Avenue South, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10010. Tel: (212) 387- 3465. Email: psommers@rizzoliusa.com.