History of Art

“The Boys” is an affectionate term sometimes used to describe the outstanding portraits of Jacob and his twelve sons by the Spanish artist Francisco de Zurbarán, housed at Auckland Castle in Bishop Auckland.

This is an unusual practical book which provides a concise and readable introduction to the paintings and encourages the reader to take time to “listen to the boys.” After some useful introductory pages about the background to the paintings, the substance of the book contains reproductions of each of the paintings along with reflections and questions to stimulate the reader to record their own personal reflections and responses.