Italy and Spain is divided into two smaller sections.  The first section, called 'Treaties on Art' presents a number of different documents and letters describing different the ways in which the Baroque should be viewed.  The idea of presenting many different documents allows the reader to receive a much less biased opinion on the Baroque as well as receive a more well rounded understanding of the period.  By offering opposing opinions, Enggass is able to more fully tell the full story of the Baroque without bias or limitations.

One of the first letters which Enggass includes is written by Giustiniani, a firm supporter of both Caravaggio and Carracci.  Giustiniani offers his own system of rating the quality of an artist by setting up "certain categories, concerning methods of painting and the rankings of painters, based on a bit of experience I have had in...