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El Mexuar II
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| [Ligne directrice - Note] Note du photographe |
ALHAMBRA
The Nasrid Palaces, El Mexuar, Interior
The hall of the Mexuar, a rectangle, must once have been part of a building pre-dating the Comares Palace and the Palace of the Lions and was probably built for Ismail I (1314-1325) although it has suffered many alterations. The decoration was modified by Yusuf I (1333-1354) and later by Muhammad V (1362-1391) during the second part of his divided reign.
It originally had a central lantern ceiling for overhead lighting but only the four columns and the entablature now remain. In the 16th century the whole area was altered to convert it into a chapel with an upper floor. A wall with a courtyard beyond closed off the hall along the line now taken by the renaissance balustrade. When the wall was demolished the space gained was used as a choir. Noteworthy among the radical alterations to the building are the morisco decorated wooden ceilings and the curious epigraphic stucco frieze that runs along the top of the dado of ceramic tiling. This frieze was brought here from the disappeared portico of the Patio de Machuca and put in place by morisco craftsmen and, reflecting as the text does, the liturgy of the mass, with clear symbolic intent:
'The Kingdom is of God.
Power is of God.
Glory is of God.'
Also noteworthy are the four columns of a type that, with variations, abound in the Alhambra and Nasrid Granada. They are characterised by slim marble shafts topped by series of mouldings that form a collar underneath the capital itself. Inspired by Almohad models the capitals are in two parts: the lower cylindrical & the upper cubic and containing the most varied combinations of ornamental motifs. Those in the Mexuar preserve, moreover, the original multi-colouring.
Another essential element in a Grenadine interior is the dado, which runs right round the room and is covered with glazed ceramic tiles, which make up polygonal figures of stars. The greater part of this dado was brought here to decorate the chapel in the 16th century from the now disappeared southern hall of the Comares Palace. This is why some of the centrepieces of the stars bearing the Nasrad arms were replaced by those of the emperor or the Mondéjar family, the three alternating as symbols of power. Some of the original panels were preserved and are now in the Alhambra Museum. |
hakanyilmaz, nwoehnl, wilkinsonsg, dimotemps trouve(nt) cette note utile
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Great detail, illumination and contrast. Also your note is very informative.
Hi Robi, and happy new year. I like what you did here - the presentation of this detail of the Alhambra is well framed with the horizontal 2:1 division of the main elements. Good textures and richness in details; I suspect that contrast could be boosted even a bit more. Also an extensive and well-researched note you put along your photo here, good work.
- manny
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2979 W: 89 N: 4017]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(21378) - [2005-01-02 14:15]
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Neat framing. Good clear patterns with simple yet straighforward composition. Good picture with subtle colors.
Another very sharp image with good colour definition and the amount of detail shown is outstanding - very good note also :)
BTW - Happy (belated) new year !
Hi Robert, nice close-up and composition, the carvings are really beautiful and rich in details. Well captured!
A great work and a professional note. However the arabic phrases are not shown completely, you could take more on right and left sides without loss of artistic details.
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- oho0o (8)
- [2006-11-24 11:09]
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nice information u got, same as to ur picture...
as what my bro/sis dimotemps comment .. not all of phrases shown ..
am not that good with english, just u can correct me if said it wrong .. on the left side "الملك" means "the possess is" pronounce as "Almolk", u cut the god word.. on the right u will see "لله" means "of Allah[god]" pronounce as "Lellah", midle "العزة لله" means " glory is of Allah" pronounce as "Alezah Lellah"..
for the right word, it is not "Power is of God", it is "Capability is of Allah" "algedrah Lellah" :)
who u can see what i wrote in arabic
might what i added not that important, just as u mintioned it and it is not there in pic, as for interior designers in my country, we should talk and explain all in details :S..
thx for ur information ;)
good Luck
