Moorish architecture

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Moorish architecture. Islamic architecture of North Africa and regions of the Iberian peninsula where the Moors were dominant (711–1492). The most perfect examples were the exquisite Alhambra, Granada (mostly 1338–90—which was probably a madrasa rather than a palace), and La Mezquita at Córdoba (785–987). Moresque is architecture like or derived from that of the Moors (see hispanomoresque), or, more loosely, from Islamic architecture, and the term is especially associated with formal foliate ornament of an interlacing type, also known as arabesque. Moorish influences had a considerable effect during the C19 enthusiasm for exotic Picturesque buildings, and they were exploited by many designers, such as Owen Jones.

Bibliography

Conner (1979);
Danby (1995);
Irwin (2004);
O. Jones (1868);
Lewis & Darley (1986);
W. Papworth (1852);
Sturgis et al. (1901–2);
Jane Turner (1996)

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Moorish art and architecture

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