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Writer's picturemmapodcast1
Sep 24, 20243 min read

The Paintings of the Hall of Kings at Alhambra, Spain (Amer)


This podcast episode presents a scholarly examination of a significant mural painting located within the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain. Commencing with an acknowledgment of art's unique capacity to communicate narratives and emotions, the narrative transitions into an in-depth exploration of the historical backdrop against which this artwork was conceived.


Central to the discussion is the political milieu of medieval Spain, notably the emergence of the Nasrid dynasty following the fracturing of the Almohad empire subsequent to the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa. Delving into the Nasrid kingdom's intricate alliances, territorial fluctuations, and cultural exchanges with neighboring Christian realms, the episode underscores the vibrant interplay between Muslim and Christian communities, particularly in the realms of trade and artistic patronage.


Foregrounded within the episode is the reign of Sultan Muhammad the 5th of Granada, a period characterized by economic prosperity, artistic innovation, and courtly machinations. The dynamic interplay between Sultan Muhammad, his esteemed advisor Ibn al-Khatib, and the up-and-coming poet Ibn Zamrak takes precedence, offering insights into the confluence of artistic expression, political maneuvering, and the pursuit of power within the Nasrid court.


A meticulous analysis of the mural paintings adorning the Hall of the Kings in the Alhambra Palace forms the crux of the episode's academic inquiry. Attention is devoted to elucidating the paintings' historical import, stylistic nuances, and thematic underpinnings, thereby elucidating the complexities inherent in their interpretation.

Throughout the discourse, the episode underscores the Alhambra Palace's symbolic significance as a locus of political authority, cultural patronage, and ideological expression. It presents the palace as a microcosm reflecting the aspirations, anxieties, and enduring legacies of Sultan Muhammad the 5th and the Nasrid dynasty, encapsulating broader themes of human ambition, vulnerability, and the quest for meaning within the context of medieval Iberia.


In sum, this podcast episode offers a scholarly exploration of the intricate interplay between art, politics, and history, providing a nuanced understanding of the Nasrid dynasty's cultural heritage and its enduring resonance within the annals of Spanish medievalism.


Ghadi Amer is an Egyptian visual artist and researcher with a self-taught background in filmmaking, painting, and design. Amer blends artistic practice with historical inquiry, particularly focusing on Islamic pictorial arts of the medieval era. Her research delves into the complex themes of figurative representation in Hispano-Muslim art.


Further reading:


Episode Bibliography:

  • Bermúdez Pareja, Jesús, “Pinturas sobre la piel en la Alhambra de Granada”. Published by Patronato de la Alhambra y Generalife, Granada, 1987.

  • Grabar, Oleg. "The Alhambra and the Study of Nasrid Palatial Architecture." In Muqarnas: An Annual on Islamic Art and Architecture, vol. 5, pp. 73-95. Brill, 1988.

  • Irwin, Robert. “The Alhambra”. Harvard University Press, 2004.

  • López Guzmán, Rafael. The Alhambra: The Royal Palace. Ediciones Miguel Sánchez, 2000.

  • Marçais, Georges. The Alhambra. Saqi Books, 2009.

  • Menocal, María Rosa. The Arts of Intimacy: Christians, Jews, and Muslims in the Making of Castilian Culture. Yale University Press, 2008.


For Further Readings on the Topic of Hispano-Muslim Art:

  • Dodds, Jerrilynn D., et al. Al-Andalus: The Art of Islamic Spain. Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1992.

  • Ettinghausen, Richard, and Oleg Grabar. The Art and Architecture of Islam: 650-1250. Yale University Press, 2003

  • Fierro, Maribel. The Alhambra and the Genealogy of its Renovations. Ediciones El Viso, 2002.

  • Dodds, Jerrilynn D. The Arts of Al-Andalus. Museum With No Frontiers, 2014.

  • Rosser-Owen, Mariam. Islamic Arts from Spain. Thames & Hudson, 2010.


Books & Articles (E-LIBRARY):

Visit the following link to access most of these sources, divided into three languages (English, Arabic, and Spanish) to make it easier for audiences to access the resources. Amer has also created a separate folder containing videos and photos taken during academic visits to Alhambra.


Useful links- lectures/ seminars:


5.4.OTHERS:

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