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07 Spanish Ceiling [WAM 1952.18] - What does this object tell us about the medieval globe?
The medieval globe was characterized by a blend of cultures and religions made possible by trade routes and the general interconnectedness of different regions. These historical themes are reflected in the variety of art and architecture produced during the medieval period. The Spanish Ceiling, also known as the artesonado or alfarje, imparts a narrative of cultural and religious blending around the Iberian Peninsula spanning the 13th to 16th centuries. The Christian Reconquest of Spain in the region of Toledo during the 11th-century was accompanied by a distinct shift in art and architecture known as the Mudéjar style. The Mudéjar style was evolved by Moorish (i.e. Muslims living in Spain) artisans who were employed by individuals of the Christian faith to design and create a variety of architecture which reflected a structural and decorative blend of traditional Asiatic and European elements. The Mudéjar ceiling specifically epitomized the blend of Christian pictorial imagery with the rigid geometric ornament frequent in Islamic art. The greatest number of Mudéjar ceilings are observed in cities where Muslims were tolerated in large numbers, most notably the central and southern regions of Spain.