Baird, Joseph. The Churches of Mexico 1530–1810. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1962. Mexican colonial architecture and art, illustrated and interpreted.

Cordrey, Donald and Dorothy. Mexican Indian Costumes. Austin: University of Texas Press, 1968. A lovingly photographed, written, and illustrated classic on Mexican Indians and their dress, emphasizing textiles.

Covarrubias, Miguel. Indian Art of Mexico and Central America. New York: Knopf, 1957. A timeless work by the renowned interpreter of indígena art and design.

Martínez Penaloza, Porfirio. Popular Arts of Mexico. Mexico City: Editorial Panorama, 1981. An excellent, authoritative pocket-sized exposition of Mexican art.

Mullen, Robert James. Architecture and Its Sculpture in Viceregal Mexico. Austin: University of Texas Press, 1997. The essential work of Mexican colonial-era cathedrals and churches. In this lovingly written and illustrated life work, Mullen breathes new vitality into New Spain’s preciously glorious colonial architectural legacy.

Sayer, Chloë. Arts and Crafts of Mexico. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 1990. All you ever wanted to know about your favorite Mexican crafts, from papier-mâché to pottery and toys and Taxco silver. Beautifully illustrated by traditional etchings and David Lavender’s crisp black-and-white and color photographs.