The Alhambra

The Alhambra. Original: Graphite and marker on Canson multimedia paper. 2022.

Illustrated in graphite, marker, and colored pencil, the Alhambra's stunning Islamic architecture reflects the zenith of Moorish civilization in Spain. The red clay bricks capture its grandeur, each detail in my artwork celebrating this historical marvel's elegance and splendor. The Moors, who ruled much of Spain from the 8th to the 15th century, left a lasting legacy in Spain’s architecture, food, and even its language, with the Alhambra standing as one of the most iconic symbols of their influence. This palace complex, built by the Nasrid dynasty, represents the pinnacle of Moorish art and architecture in the Iberian Peninsula. 
The Alhambra is the archetypal monument of Granada in southern Spain’s Andalucia. I currently live about 15 minutes from it and have been inside three times. Fun fact: The casual American visitor may be very surprised to find a plaque dedicating one of the rooms to American author Washington Irving. Irving lived there in 1829, where he was inspired to write his anthology of short stories, “Tales of the Alhambra.”