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The Hispanic Society's collection of
medieval art faithfully reflects the culture
engendered in a tumultuous age of
invasions and cultures of political regimes. |
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Islamic invaders overran Spain in 711,
dominating all of Spain but for a holdout
Christian Kingdom in the north. |
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The Islamic rulers established a
kingdom in Cordoba, and a work
such as the Hispanic Society's
ivory pyxis (a rounded lidded box)
testifies to the talent of craftsmen
working there. |
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Ivory pyxis,
ca. 966
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"Alhambra Silk",
ca. 1400
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From the distinguished tradition
of Islamic textiles comes this
luxurious piece which attests
to the high quality of the artisans
active in Granada ca. 1400. |
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The technique for producing
cuerda seca ceramics was
one of the many Middle Eastern
technologies introduced to the
Iberian Peninsula. |
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Cuerda seca plate,
Seville, ca. 1500
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The Church took on a greater importance
as a bulwark for political regimes in their
wars to reclaim territory conquered by the
Arabs. |
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The Church endeavored to make religious
worship as splendid as possible by
commissioning large-scale altars, as well
as smaller items such as reliquaries and
chalices. |
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Archangel Gabriel with
St. Bonaventure and
Virgin Mary with
St. Jerome from tomb of
Gutierre de la Cueva,
ca. 1500
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Whereas these figures stood
high off the ground in the original
installation, the visitor to the
Hispanic Society today can
appreciate the high quality of
their carving at eye level. |
