Work

Tiles (Azulejos) and Tiling Mosaic (Alicatados) Pieces Within the Alhambra Museum Collections: A Historical, Artistic, and Technical Approach

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study examines the architectural ceramic corpus—comprising azulejos (tiles) and alicatados (tiling mosaics)—preserved in the Alhambra Museum, with the aim of elucidating its historical, artistic, and technical significance. Through a systematic methodology combining visual analysis, documentary research, and typological classification, a representative selection of ceramic artefacts was assessed. This article explores the artistic characteristics and technological principles of pieces produced using painted, relief, metallic lustre, incrustación, alicatado, cuerda seca, and arista techniques and reconstructs the historical trajectory of these decorative practices, tracing their origins in the pre-Islamic world to their adaptation within the Alhambra Palatine City. This diachronic perspective contextualises the innovations observed in the citadel, where production strategies reflect both inherited traditions and local adaptations across different historical phases. The findings highlight the richness and diversity of the Nasrid (mediaeval era) and Christian (modern era) ceramic legacy in the Alhambra and contribute to a more nuanced understanding of manufacturing processes and conservation challenges associated with these architectural elements. This preliminary characterisation establishes a basis for future material analysis and supports broader initiatives in documentation and heritage management.

Source: Heritage

DOI: 10.3390/heritage8060237

Author: Danielle Dias Martins

Institution: Universidad de Granada

Language: English

Topic: Historical Studies of Medieval Iberia

Subfield: Archeology

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,930

Funders: Universidad de Granada, Junta de Andalucía