Architectural Model thumbnail 1
Architectural Model thumbnail 2
+4
images
On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

Architectural Model

1890 (made)
Artist/Maker
Linares, Enrique
Place of origin
Granada (made)

This is a model of the Torre de las Infantas, in the Alhambra.

Object details

Categories
Architecture
Islam
Object type
Architectural model
Materials and techniques
Marble and painted plaster, covered with red velvet
Brief description
Architectural model depicting the interior Torre de las Infantas, in the Alhambra
Physical description
The outer walls of the model (made around 1890) are covered with a deep red velvet fabric. The interior is made up of geometric floral and vegetal designs that are brightly coloured with blues, reds. golds and greens.
Dimensions
  • Height: 95cm
  • Width: 95cm
  • Depth: 63.5cm
Gallery label
The palace complex of the Alhambra is the great architectural achievement of the Nasrid dynasty. Its interiors are decorated with richly patterned tiles, painted plaster and carved wood. This room also bears a poem in Arabic describing the beauties of the interior.

The room is in a tower called the Qalahurra Nueva of Yusuf I. With its walls and roof entirely covered with dense and varied ornament, it is typical of the Alhambra.

Small windows in bays keep the room cool but allow views out to the surrounding hills.

The Alhambra became a tourist attraction after the publication of its decorations by Owen Jones in the 1840s and the work of such authors as Washington Irving. This tourist rediscovery went hand in hand with the restoration of the buildings by members of the Contreras family. This model shows the Qualahurra Nueva as it was restored by Don Rafael Contreras in the 1870s. Contreras also made models of the parts of the Alhambra for museums and the tourist trade. (V&A Architectural Gallery Object database)
Credit line
Given by Captain A. W. Shean
Object history
Model about 1890 made by Enrique Linares
Summary
This is a model of the Torre de las Infantas, in the Alhambra.
Bibliographic reference
Leslie, Fiona. 'Inside Outside: Changing Attitudes towards Architectural Models in the Museums at South Kensington.' Architectural History 47, 2004, pp.159-200.
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
A.26-1936

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Record createdNovember 16, 2005
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O118603/architectural-model-linares-enrique/
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