Ingang van de Dormitorio de los Reyes Moros in het Koninklijk Paleis van Sevilla 1880 - 1900

Rafael Garzón created this photograph of the entrance to the Moorish King’s Dormitory in Seville's Royal Alcázar palace sometime between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Alcázar's architecture reflects Seville's complex history, bearing elements of Islamic, Gothic, and Renaissance styles. Garzón’s image captures the intricate geometric patterns and horseshoe arches characteristic of Moorish design, and in his choice of subject, he is participating in a popular fascination at the time. The late 19th century saw a rise in Orientalism, a Western fascination with and often romanticized interpretation of the "exotic" cultures of the East, particularly the Middle East and North Africa. Spain, with its Moorish past, became a focal point for such interests. Garzón, as a photographer in Seville, catered to this market, producing images of the city's architectural heritage that emphasized its "Arab" past. Understanding this image requires us to look into the history of Orientalism, architectural history, and photographic practices of the period. The role of art is always contingent on its social and historical context.