Translations of six treatises, originally written by artists in spain and portugal in the 17th and 18th centuries, which reveal valuable information about contemporary spanish baroque painting methods. Includes writings by nunes, carducho, pacheco, hidalgo and palomino which together provide a catalogue of the materials that were available to these artists and a compendium of contemporary painting practices. Each treatise offers a glimpse of the author's view of himself as a practitioner of his art and interesting notes on the political events, leaders and literature of that time. Glossary of Spanish/Portuguese art terms, illustrations.