The Arabian antiquities of Spain

Author

Murphy, James Cavanah, 1760-1814

Date

• 1815

Publisher

London: Cadell & Davies

Summary

• A description of antiquities at Cordova. A description of the Alhambra at Granada. Work edited and descriptions written by T. H. Horne. cf. Brit. mus. Cat. of printed books. Engraved t.-p., with ornamental border. Introduction dated 1812. "Description of the Palace of the Alhamra" has special engr. t.-p., with ornamental border.</br></br>Irish-born architect, James Cavanah Murphy (1760-1814), lived for a number of years on the Iberian Peninsula where he studied and documented historical architecture. His 1795 publication on Gothic architecture at Batalha in Portugal provided stimulation for the Gothic Revival style in England. A later diplomatic post in Spain (1802-1809) allowed him opportunity to research Moorish architecture and decoration in the region. Returning to England, Murphy spent the remaining years of his life preparing his notes and drawings for publication. The resulting book, "The Arabian Antiquities of Spain," was only partially published at his death in 1814. Thomas Hartwell Horne added text descriptions to Murphy’s measured drawings, and the whole was reprinted in 1815. Murphy’s careful documentation of the Great Mosque of Cordoba and the Alhambra in Granada are appreciative acknowledgements of the Moors’ artistic achievements. The large format illustrations in the book conveyed details of Islamic-influenced ornament to help fuel the Romantic fascination with non-Western cultures. Moorish Revival style became popular in both Europe and America throughout the 19th century. Murphy’s 1815 volume, digitized here, belongs to the UW-Madison, Kohler Art Library.