Researcher Danielle Nastari visited the Hispanic Division last month to learn more about the Candido Portinari Murals, a treasure in the Library located in the Hispanic Reading Room. Nastari, who is researching Portinari’s life as part of her PhD studies, consulted with Library collections in the Prints and Photographs and Manuscript Divisions. We thank Nastari for presenting some of her findings and sharing wonderful insights in a talk right in front of the Murals. Visit us and experience the Portinari Murals firsthand!

Did you know that the Handbook of Latin American Studies is compiled and edited here by staff in the Hispanic Division of the Library of Congress? -- HLAS annotation of the month: Promiscuous Power: An unorthodox history of New Spain by Martin Nesvig. Annotated by HLAS Contributing Editor Raphael Folsom.

The Hispanic Division participated in the 5th annual “New Acquisitions” display for staff. This is a unique opportunity for the Library’s divisions to showcase recently acquired works now part of the national collections. Check out some highlights below from the Hispanic Division:

• Descripción de la Plaza de San Juan de Puerto Rico y el estado presente de sus fortificaciones / Description of the Plaza de San Juan in Puerto Rico and the condition of its fortifications. Hand written manuscript (1763) by Irish-born engineer Thomas O’Daly.
• Ferrocarril de Antioquia [Colombia]: Collection of Vintage Photographs and Notations. Collection includes three albums and loose photographs documenting a significant civil engineering project in Colombia, compiled by Joseph C. Hilton. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, acquired with Hispanic Division funds. 
• Manuel Buen-Abad photograph collection. Late nineteenth century photo albums and prints by Spanish-born photographer in Mexico. Also includes assorted manuscripts and photos owned by Buen-Abad. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, acquired with Hispanic Division funds.
• Otra piel para otra entraña / Another Skin for New Insides (2016) by Rolando Estevez and Ruth Behar. A creative twist on an anthology artist's book of female poets from Cuba and the United States in the form of a Victorian tea dress (see photo above) with handwritten scrolls. Otra piel is currently on display in the Hispanic Reading Room.
• [Photographic postcards of Mexico] (1900-1960) by Hugo Brehme, Ponce De Leon, Sabino Osuna and Mauricio Yáñez. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, acquired with Hispanic Division funds. 
• Tequila: el vuelo del mezcal azul por el paisaje agavero patrimonio mundial UNESCO text by Francisco Vidargas. Limited edition artist’s book includes 10 individual linoleum block prints signed and dated by artist Nacho Gomez Arriola. Library of Congress Hispanic Reading Room Reference Collection. 

Contact the Hispanic Division to learn more about any of these new acquisitions. Visit us in the Hispanic Reading Room (LJ 240), e-mail or call 202-707-5397.