Umayyad Art in Al-Andalus: Religious Architecture
Classified in History
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It will absorb local artistic traditions. These traditions are: Hispanic Art, Roman (Roman classical), Paleochristian Art, and the influence of Islam, Visigothic, and East.
In the 10th century, with the Caliphate of Cordoba, Hispano-Muslim art buildings were built that marked the climax, making it the classical period of Islamic art. From this time on, it became a benchmark for all future stages, until the 15th century, with Nasrid survivals.
Another influence is from the North of Africa, both in the Umayyad period and Taifa. From the 11th century until the 13th century, it will become part of the Empire.
Christian influence: They coexisted with Muslims in the Iberian Peninsula. The boundaries are blurred in cultural and artistic exchanges (the back of Mudejar), which is especially essential for the Nasrids. As examples, we can name the vault of the Hall of Kings in the Alhambra, which was made by Gothic artists of the Trecento Christians of Toledo. Another example is the Fortuny ceramic tile, made of golden highlights, with plant forms that come from the Christian world.
One of the greatest difficulties is the shortage of examples held due to destruction or deterioration. La Reconquista advanced, pursuing a policy of massive destruction of the footprint of the infidel. Political disappearances in 1432. Procrastination and little interest in the art of this time. Many mosques were burned at this time because the churches did not serve this specialty. The preserved buildings are very important because what we have received is top-notch, such as the Mosque of Cordoba and the Alhambra. In the sumptuary arts, the same happened. Rich materials (ivory, silver, gold, etc.) were melted, destroyed, fragmented, and reused to make reliquaries or chests like Leire.
Theme 4: The Umayyad Art of Al-Andalus (I) - Religious Architecture
Historical Reference
In 711, Muslim troops, at the hands of Tariq, landed at Gibraltar. Visigothic Spain was conquered very quickly, in just 15 years, throughout Spain and Portugal. A new historical stage began, lasting until 1492 when the Muslims were expelled.
The East had the Umayyad Caliphate in Damascus, with its headquarters in Syria. Al-Andalus was a dependent emirate of Damascus, which implied political and religious links. This period extended from 711 until 756, when Prince Abd-al-Rahman arrived on the Iberian Peninsula from the East. He and his brother were the only survivors of a massacre carried out by the Abbasids at a dinner at the Palace. Both settled in Cordoba, and he seized power, proclaiming himself emir. He was politically independent of the Eastern Caliphate of Baghdad because it moved its headquarters from Damascus.
Thus began what is known as the independent Emirate of Baghdad, ranging from 756 to 929. In 929, Abd ar-Rahman III proclaimed himself caliph (prince of believers), which involved religious independence from the East.
Three caliphates:
- Cordoba
- Abbasid Baghdad
- Fatimid Caliph of Cairo
An important stage of the Caliphate of Cordoba began, lasting until 1031. The Umayyad period lasted three centuries, which we will divide politically:
- Emirate period: 8th and 9th centuries
- Caliphate period: 10th century
The emirs, including Abd al-Rahman I, Abd-al-Rahman II, Mohamed, and Abd-Allah I, only had political power.