Sculpted Muqarnas: The Five Capitals in the Alhambra as a Case Study for the Proportions of Western Profiles

A groundbreaking analysis of muqarnas capitals in the Alhambra reveals that their proportions diverge significantly from those described in 17th-century carpentry manuscripts, challenging long-held assumptions about Western muqarnas design. By sculpting and comparing five Alhambra capitals to historical manuals by López de Arenas and Fray Andrés de San Miguel, researchers uncovered distinct geometrical relationships that were previously unclear. This study not only advances the understanding of Nasrid palace architecture but also provides a framework for testing other muqarnas compositions, thereby refining the formal language of this intricate Islamic art form.

Ferrer Pérez-Blanco, I., & Zufferey, M.-P. (2021). Sculpted Muqarnas: The Five Capitals in the Alhambra as a Case Study for the Proportions of Western Profiles. Muqarnas Online, 38(1), 357–399. https://doi.org/10.1163/22118993-00381p12