Interieur van een zaal van het Alhambra te Granada c. 1870 - 1895

This photograph by Rafael Garzón captures a room in the Alhambra, Granada, and it’s all about surfaces. The material here is not the paper the photograph is printed on, but the plaster, tile, and wood that would have been carved with astonishing intricacy by many anonymous hands. The walls display complex geometric patterns and Arabic calligraphy, bearing witness to the skills passed down through generations of artisans. The making process involved precise measuring, cutting, and assembling of individual pieces to create a cohesive design. The overall effect is rich, highly refined, and symbolic of the power and cultural sophistication of its commissioners. This kind of surface treatment must have been extremely labor-intensive. Thinking about the labor and expertise required for these decorations invites us to consider the social context in which they were produced, and to appreciate the artistry and the complex relationship between labor, politics, and aesthetics.