"Illustrated in color throughout, The California Missions: History, Art, and Preservation combines engaging text with historical paintings, archival photographs, and recent photography to create a vivid chronicle of these iconic institutions. The narrative recounts their founding and early history, surveys mission art and architecture, and examines their role in shaping the history and culture of California. A final chapter discusses recent advances in preserving the mission heritage for future generations. The second part of the book provides concise historical profiles for each of the twenty-one missions."--BOOK JACKET.

"This is the eighth volume in the Conservation and cultural heritage series"--Colophon.

Colonizing California -- Ruins, romance, and revival -- Restoration and reconstruction -- Artisans and architecture -- Adorning the theaters of conversion -- Painting and painters in early California -- Preserving California's missions -- San Diego de Alcalá -- San Carlos Borromeo del Río Carmelo -- San Antonio de Padua -- San Gabriel, Arcngel -- San Luis Obispo de Tolosa -- San Francisco de Asís -- San Juan Capistrano -- Santa Clara de Asís -- San Buenaventura -- Santa Bárbara, Virgen y Mártir -- La Purísima Concepción de María Santísima -- La Exaltación de la Santa Cruz -- Nuestra Señora de la Soledad -- Mission del Gloriosísimo Patriarca San José-- San Juan Bautista -- San Miguel, Arcngel -- San Fernando Rey de España -- San Luis Rey de Francia -- Santa Inés, Virgen y Mártir -- San Rafael, Arcngel -- San Francisco Solano.