Introduction

For eight centuries, between 711 and 1492, Southern Spain was part of the Muslim world. A rich culture emerged around the royal and provincial courts in Córdoba, Granada, Toledo, and Málaga. Trade, intellectual life, and the arts flourished. The works of art featured in this chapter, from the Spanish Umayyad (756–1031) and Nasrid (1232–1492) periods, illustrate how elements from various traditions came together to create distinct styles that were both enduring and far-reaching.