Alhambra Niche
by Weston Westmoreland
Title
Alhambra Niche
Artist
Weston Westmoreland
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Water niche or Taca, Alhambra de Granada, Spain.
Detail of one of the many Taca or small water niches set at both sides of each main entrance to the stances surrounding the Court of the Myrtles (Patio de los Arrayanes), the Court of the Lions (Patio de los Leones) and many other buildings at the palace and fortress complex of the Alhambra of Granada.
These small niches were used to keep water flagons and basins to drink or wash hands. They had different designs and were richly decorated, although many have not reached our time in their whole splendor. The one in the image is one of the two that could be better restored.
Built around 1350 AD, the Palace of the Lions in the Alhambra is the apex of Nasrid architecture. In this palace Nasrid art achieved its greatest degree of magnificence, sensitivity and harmony. Light, water, color and exquisite decoration turn this palace into a pleasure for the senses. The abstract and geometric decoration steps back in this palace for a more naturalistic style, a result of Christian influence.
A place of breathtaking beauty, preserved by the wisdom of a Sultan who was later labelled a coward for surrendering the fortress before it was utterly destroyed in a fight he could not possibly win. I for one am grateful.
Other versions of this image and other more Alhambra and Al-Andalusian images one copy-paste away in my Gallery at http://westonwestmoreland.com/collections/alhambra+and+alandalus
Weston Westmoreland.
Uploaded
March 18th, 2020
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