The
first image of an arabesque is from the Alcazar in Sevilla,
Spain.Ý The archway provides a canopy at the edge of
the courtyard to the palace building built in the 13th century.Ý The arch repeats in various forms throughout
this embellished structural element.Ý First,
the lobes of the pointed arch create miniature curves that allude to the overall
arch.Ý The angular form of the arch repeats
throughout the screen-like ornament, where diagonals criss-cross to create a
pattern of diamonds that follow the form of the arches below. ÝWithin each diamond is a shell-like form with
vegetal designs behind it.Ý The points
of the diamonds allude to the pointed arches while the lobes mimic the shape
of the shells and leaves.Ý This seemingly
endless repetition of points and curves creates a screen of ornament, obscuring
the weight of the architectural form of a canopy.
The
second image is an example of an arabesque from the Islamic Museum in Cairo.Ý Presumably, this fragment originally was located
on a palace or a mosque from roughly the 10th century.Ý As the ornament found in the Alcazar in Sevilla,
the Cairo fragment is also an example
of ìarabesqueî.Ý A pair of hexagons creates
the focus of this object, framing the vegetal designs within it.Ý
The alternating clubs and leaves spiral around a central leaf inside
of the hexagon, while small triangles surround the geometric frame.Ý
Between the two hexagons are two triangles connected by a row of smaller
triangles, creating a relationship between geometric shapes and more organic
vegetal motifs.Ý The curving and spiraling leaves create a tension
with the linear geometry, thereby creating a pattern that draws the viewer into
the middle of one hexagon at a time.Ý The overall effect of an enlarged pattern of
these hexagons would be that of a decorated screen, creating a weightless effect
for the architecture that it would adorn.
These two examples of arabesque, while elementally dissimilar, have a similar
general effect of engrossing pattern.Ý By
repeating elements endlessly the pattern draws a viewer into an attempt to unravel
the thread between the shapes.Ý The pattern
confuses and clarifies at the same time; the individual elements are clearly
defined and yet the overall effect can be overwhelming.Ý
These examples, while having a similar effect, most likely are meant
to provide a different reaction in the historical viewer.Ý A 13th century visitor to the Alcazar
would be reminded of Andalusian culture, while a 10th century viewer
of the Cairo fragment would be reminded of Fatimid culture.Ý Although the arabesques are somewhat visually
related, the intended connotations depend upon the culture that created the
object.
