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How to draw mosaics from the Alhambra
May 31, 202510:30 a.m.
CóRDOBA
Antonio Gala Foundation
10:30 a.m.
Prior registration required.
In Spanish.
Casa Árabe, with the cooperation of the Spanish Society for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage, is organizing this conference by Manuel Martínez Vela. It will be taking place on Saturday, May 31, at 10:30 a.m. at the Antonio Gala Foundation.
One of the main features defining Islamic art in an unmistakable way is its use of geometrical figures as a visual resource. In Nasrid architecture, this trait stands out in a special way, displaying a spectacular ornamental repertoire in which geometric elements play an outstanding role. Even plant-inspired motifs and calligraphic images play a role in this geometric spirit, which organizes and gives unity to the whole.
In the palatine city of the Alhambra, the symbolic and representative seat of political power for the Nasrid dynasty, the entire evolution of Islamic art in Al-Andalus is summarized, condensed and culminated, in a way that cannot be found in any other place. Therefore, it is not unusual to discover geometric motifs similar to those found in Granada when looking at buildings in Seville or Cordoba.
The research work carried out in recent years by the guest speaker—collected in publications such as La Alhambra con regla y compás (The Alhambra with Ruler and Compass) and Cómo dibujar los mosaicos de la Alhambra (How to Draw the Mosaics in the Alhambra)—has focused on analyzing these geometric motifs with the goal of identifying common patterns and finding methods that might be similar to those used by medieval sketch artists. Although no contemporary documents describing these processes have been preserved, everything seems to indicate that it was not necessary to resort to complex mathematical operations. Instead simple workshop processes were probably used, passed on orally from masters to apprentices for generations.
In his talk, the author will be presenting a graphic and procedural approach to some of these common methods and patterns, making reference to models also present in the city of Cordoba, where appropriate.
Manuel Martínez Vela (Alcalá la Real, 1958)
With a PhD in Fine Arts from the University of Granada and a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from the University of Seville, Martínez Vela has been a professor at the UGR's School of Fine Arts, as well. An expert in graphic art, he has specialized in screen printing, giving courses to artists and conferences at various institutions. In 2011, he published Granada a la plancha (Granada on the Press), and in 2013 La Serigrafía, de la pantalla de seda a la estampa (Silk-screen printing: from the silk screen to the print). As an artist, his work has been exhibited in Spain and other countries, having received many awards in national competitions.
In recent years, his work as a researcher and informer for the public has focused on Islamic geometric designs, especially in monuments from Al-Andalus, having studied the layout of the most significant tile and plaster work. He has collaborated with various institutions, such as the Alhambra and Generalife Board of Trustees, the Granada Museum of Archeology, Fundación Descubre and the Cervantes Institute, as well as others. As a specialist on this topic, he has published La Alhambra con regla y compás (The Alhambra with Ruler and Compass, 2017), 24
Patrones para dibujar la Alhambra (24 Patterns for Drawing the Alhambra, 2017), El Real Alcázar de Sevilla con regla y compás(Seville's Royal Alcázar with Ruler and Compass, 2019), Mandalas de la Alhambra (Alhambra Mandalas, 2019), Cómo dibujar los mosaicos de la Alhambra (How to Draw the Mosaics in the Alhambra, 2022) and Dibuja la Alhambra (Drawing the Alhambra, 2024).
In 2025, he was elected to become a Numerary Member of Granada's Royal Academy of Fine Arts.
About the congress
The First Congress of Legendary Cordoba, to be held from May 30 to June 1, 2025 at the Antonio Gala Foundation, is a multidisciplinary event organized by the Spanish Society for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage, forming part of the event series "Cities of Humanity." It was conceived as a tribute to the cultural legacy of Cordoba, hosting topics such as history, art, spirituality, heritage, science, mysticism and oral tradition, through prominent speakers who work in each of these fields. It will be taking place in both in-person and online formats.
Further information about the congress
Program
In the palatine city of the Alhambra, the symbolic and representative seat of political power for the Nasrid dynasty, the entire evolution of Islamic art in Al-Andalus is summarized, condensed and culminated, in a way that cannot be found in any other place. Therefore, it is not unusual to discover geometric motifs similar to those found in Granada when looking at buildings in Seville or Cordoba.
The research work carried out in recent years by the guest speaker—collected in publications such as La Alhambra con regla y compás (The Alhambra with Ruler and Compass) and Cómo dibujar los mosaicos de la Alhambra (How to Draw the Mosaics in the Alhambra)—has focused on analyzing these geometric motifs with the goal of identifying common patterns and finding methods that might be similar to those used by medieval sketch artists. Although no contemporary documents describing these processes have been preserved, everything seems to indicate that it was not necessary to resort to complex mathematical operations. Instead simple workshop processes were probably used, passed on orally from masters to apprentices for generations.
In his talk, the author will be presenting a graphic and procedural approach to some of these common methods and patterns, making reference to models also present in the city of Cordoba, where appropriate.
Manuel Martínez Vela (Alcalá la Real, 1958)
With a PhD in Fine Arts from the University of Granada and a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from the University of Seville, Martínez Vela has been a professor at the UGR's School of Fine Arts, as well. An expert in graphic art, he has specialized in screen printing, giving courses to artists and conferences at various institutions. In 2011, he published Granada a la plancha (Granada on the Press), and in 2013 La Serigrafía, de la pantalla de seda a la estampa (Silk-screen printing: from the silk screen to the print). As an artist, his work has been exhibited in Spain and other countries, having received many awards in national competitions.
In recent years, his work as a researcher and informer for the public has focused on Islamic geometric designs, especially in monuments from Al-Andalus, having studied the layout of the most significant tile and plaster work. He has collaborated with various institutions, such as the Alhambra and Generalife Board of Trustees, the Granada Museum of Archeology, Fundación Descubre and the Cervantes Institute, as well as others. As a specialist on this topic, he has published La Alhambra con regla y compás (The Alhambra with Ruler and Compass, 2017), 24
Patrones para dibujar la Alhambra (24 Patterns for Drawing the Alhambra, 2017), El Real Alcázar de Sevilla con regla y compás(Seville's Royal Alcázar with Ruler and Compass, 2019), Mandalas de la Alhambra (Alhambra Mandalas, 2019), Cómo dibujar los mosaicos de la Alhambra (How to Draw the Mosaics in the Alhambra, 2022) and Dibuja la Alhambra (Drawing the Alhambra, 2024).
In 2025, he was elected to become a Numerary Member of Granada's Royal Academy of Fine Arts.
About the congress
The First Congress of Legendary Cordoba, to be held from May 30 to June 1, 2025 at the Antonio Gala Foundation, is a multidisciplinary event organized by the Spanish Society for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage, forming part of the event series "Cities of Humanity." It was conceived as a tribute to the cultural legacy of Cordoba, hosting topics such as history, art, spirituality, heritage, science, mysticism and oral tradition, through prominent speakers who work in each of these fields. It will be taking place in both in-person and online formats.
Further information about the congress
Program
Image: Manuel Martínez Vela