Vedanth Natarajan, Class of 2027, College of the Holy Cross

Spanish Ceiling

15th-century

The paneled-wood ceiling overhead is characteristic of the Mudéjar style: a unique blend of Christian and Islamic ornament developed between the 13th and 16th centuries. The ceiling is a testament to the distinct blend of cultures and often-peaceful coexistence achieved in the Spanish region during the Medieval period. As a symbol of wealth, the ceiling created a powerful ambiance for gatherings of the nobility. The perpendicular layers of strong, narrow beams spanning the length of the ceiling create visual depth. Naturalistic floral decorations and geometric designs wrap around all of the wooden surfaces in three dimensions. While the painters of this ceiling were apparently trained in Islamic traditions, the woodworkers may have come from North Africa, and both the patron and owner of the house as well as its builder were probably Christian.