Art throughout the ages
al-Andalus was a kingdom full of rich culture expressed through the beauty and extravagance of art. Throughout the almost 800 years of al-Andalus's reign, six periods of cultural difference took place, affecting the style and expression of art. Inherently, art represents time passing and the creation of history. What is created is what can be found in the future. This page is going to walk through each period of al-Andalus and explain the different art pieces of significance that align with certain times of the kingdom.
(711-756AD) Period of the Umayyad Governors
In the beginning of al-Andalus' history, the Iberian peninsula had not yet been under the control of the Islamic Caliphate. Instead, the Arabs and Berbers unified under the flag of the Islamic Caliphate and conquered the Iberian Peninsula. They then created what they called, al-Andalus, which is a direct translation of the word Spania. The artistic significance of this period lies in the currency. The name, al-Andalus, was printed on the coins that were used in the kingdom at the time. The only pieces of art that survived this period were coins and ceramic fragments.
(756-929AD) The Umayyad Emirate
The second period of al-Andalus began with a man named Emir 'Abd al-Rahman. He was a runaway and only surviving member of the Umayyad of Damascus who fled to Spain to reestablish himself. Under his rule and influence, al-Andalus was unified. He was a firm ruler with a swift hand, but was able to successfully establish political ties with Northern Christian kingdoms, North Africa, and the Byzantine Empire. He was even able to maintain ties with his old enemies from Baghdad, the Abbasids. This period of growth and unification brought about the construction of The Great Mosque of Cordoba, a symbol of success for al-Andalus. This formative period of art developed on the style of Hispano-Islamic art and architecture seen in The Great of Cordoba.
(929-1031AD) The Umayyad Caliphate
This period begins with 'Abd al-Rahman III reclaiming the Umayyads' right to the caliphate and declaring himself caliphate in the year 929. Art at this time is the peak of the Hispano-Islamic style. Throughout the period, there was much culture change in the eastern Mediterranean that left many kingdoms in uncertain positions and creating general unrest. Perhaps this resulted in the people of al-Andalus to yearn for a more secure time when the Umayyads ruled the Islamic world from Damascus, because the art and architecture reflected styles consistent with that period. Within the city of Cordoba, large grandiose structures and elegant art was displayed for all to see. These were influences taken from the Abbasid culture, despite Cordoba rejecting their political authority. The practice of gifting art to other kingdoms became quite popular at the time. Items such as boxes of carved ivory and gilt silver, bronze animal statuary, and silks were often exchanged. Within kingdoms, ornate marble capitals fit with grand palaces, stucco wall panels, and marble fountains were commonplace. 'Abd al-Rahman's III palace city at Madinat al-Zahra set a standard for artistic taste within the caliphate. On top of that, al-Hakam's addition to the Great Mosque at Cordoba showed that even a monument of faith should be revered for its beauty and luxury.
(1031-1086AD) The Taifa Kingdoms
The Taifa Kingdoms period did not last for a very long time. The Umayyad Caliphate collapsed during the civil war called the Fitna. It lasted from 1010 until 1013. Afterwards, local leaders in the various provinces of al-Andalus declared themselves autonomous Taifa (party kings) rulers. The goal of the Taifa rulers were to attain wealth and show their lavishness off as much as Cordoba does. Although the Taifas wanted wealth and luxury, they had little power due to their constant feuding, leaving everyone slightly weakened. As a result of the Taifa's race to become the next Cordoba, these rulers were responsible for the construction and facilitation of centers for literature, music, and the opulent arts created around the kingdom. Massive and intricate palaces were also constructed and reflected the styling of Cordoban trends but with increased complexity and manner. This period helped with the educating and establishing of workshops for the art throughout al-Andalus.
(1088-1232AD) The Almoravid and Almohad RuleRs
In this period of al-Andalus, the Almoravids come to the Iberian peninsula to answer the pleas of the Taifas. The party rulers called out for help in repelling the Christian armies coming from the north of Spain. In 1090, Almoravids assumed complete control of Spain, answering fulfilling the Taifas' wishes. At first, the Almoravids did not approve of the grandiose style of the architecture and art in al-Andalus, but they eventually came around when it was noted that their architecture and textiles started to look a little more al-Andesian. After the Almoravids, the Almohads took charge in the 12th century. They named Seville their new capital city. In 1212, the combined armies of Aragon and Castile defeated the Almohads, plunging al-Andalus into a shapeless group of principalities yet again. Most of the small kingdoms lost their sovereignty soon afterward, but Grenada was the only one that did not. The many culture changes in this period ended with the Almohads, and they condemned the Almoravids art and style completely. This led to the implication of a more austere and stern style. Geometric designs of the Almohead style could be seen in a new addition on the Great Mosque and on the minaret La Giralda in Seville. This largely put a halt on the grand design of years past in al-Andalus.
(1238-1492AD) The Nasrid Kingdom
During the 6th and final period of al-Andalus, the Nasrid dynasty is extremely important. It ruled over Granada, Jaen, Almeria, and Malaga in southern Spain. The Christian kingdoms in the north put pressure on the Nasrids and were able to conquer Valencia, Jativa, and Jaen. The Nasrids officially became paying vassals in 1243. By becoming vassals, the Nasrids were able to keep an unsteady peace with the Christian Marinids of the Maghrib. The effect on the arts in this period is seen through the Nasrid style. It was very similar to the stoic Almohad style, but included more variety and richness. Due to the militant nature of the warring kingdoms, some of the most intricate and ornate military arts such as luxury arms that have been found. They were a form of self expression that showed status and sent a message in its time. In the 14th century, the Nasrids committed to decorating their palaces. The last major Islamic monument in Spain called the Alhambra was built at this time. It was made to recognize a royal family that was dying out. The Alhambra set the stage for the end of Islamic rule on the Iberian Peninsula. In the 15th century a political crisis in Maghrib took place. The union of the Christian kingdoms of Castile and Aragon took place through the marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella in 1469. They vowed that they would free the Iberian Peninsula of all Muslims. This spelled the end of the Nasrids and al-Andalus. The art at the time did not change much in light of the military focus, so the style would still reflect Nasrid style art and architecture.
Sources:
Dodds, J. D. (1992). Al-Andalus : the Art of Islamic Spain. Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Dodds, J. D. (1992). Al-Andalus : the Art of Islamic Spain. Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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