Architectural Model based on the Alhambra 19th century

This is an architectural model based on the Alhambra created by Rafael Contreras. This work gives us an insight into the European fascination with Moorish architecture. Consider the history of the Alhambra in Granada, Spain. It went from being a royal palace in the Moorish empire to a palace for the Christian monarchs of Spain. As a cultural site it is a symbol of shifting social and political powers. This model allows us to explore the social conditions that shape artistic production. The construction of this model can be thought of as a study of the ways institutions shape the reception of art. This model, placed in a museum, elevates the Alhambra and gives it value as a work of art. By researching the history of both the Alhambra and the production of this model, we can better understand the meaning of art as something that is contingent on both its social and institutional context.