Canines in Cervantes and Vel?zquez: An Animal Studies Reading of Early Modern Sp [Hardcover]

The study of the creation of canine breeds in early modern Europe, especially Spain, illustrates the different constructs against which notions of human identity were forged. This book is the first comprehensive history of early modern Spanish dogs and it evaluates how two of Spains most celebrated and canonical cultural figures of this period, the artist Diego Vel??zquez and the author Miguel de Cervantes, radically question humankinds sixteenth-century anthropocentric self-fashioning. In general, this study illuminates how Animal Studies can offer new perspectives to understanding Hispanism, giving readers a fresh approach to the historical, literary and artistic complexity of early modern Spain.To date, no scholarly history of early modern Spanish dogs has been published. Aside from carrying out this task, this book evaluates the representation of dogs in the work of the artist Diego Vel??zquez and the author Miguel de Cervantes. In general, this study highlights the importance of Animal Studies in providing readers a fresh approach to the historical, artistic and literary complexity of early modern Spain.John Beusterien is Associate Professor of Spanish and Director Comparative Literature Program in the Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures at Texas Tech University, USA.Classified as 'Research Essential' by Baker & Taylor YBP Library Services John Beusterien's Canines in Cervantes and Vel??zquez views the history of early modern Spain through the lens of species difference, providing a dog's-eye view of the period's rich literary, visual, and dramatic achievements. A learned and intriguing study. Bruce Boehrer, Florida State University, USA John Beusteriens book demonstrates that the compassion and empathy of Cervantes and Vel??zquez was not limited to members of their own species. In a world filled with cruelty toward human and nonhuman animals alike, Cervantes and Mateo Alem??n could disapprove of Rabelaisian humor in whichlCR