King Boabdil's farewell to Granada 1860

Alfred Dehodencq painted "King Boabdil's farewell to Granada" using oil on canvas. The painting is located in Paris, France. Dehodencq's painting presents a romanticized image of a key moment in Spanish history. It depicts the last Moorish ruler of Granada, Boabdil, departing the city after its surrender to the Catholic Monarchs in 1492. The painting reflects the 19th-century European fascination with the "Orient" and the exoticism of Moorish Spain. It’s important to remember that Romanticism, and Orientalism, were products of particular moments in European history. Historical accounts and archival documents offer contrasting perspectives. They challenge the painting's idealization by revealing complex political and social dynamics that shaped the period.