Patio de los Arrayanes in het Alhambra c. 1860 - 1900

F. Linares created this photograph of the Patio de los Arrayanes in the Alhambra during a time when the idea of Spain was being actively constructed and negotiated. This image of the Alhambra's serene courtyard, with its reflecting pool and delicate Moorish architecture, exists within the context of Spanish Orientalism. It presents a romanticized view of the past, one that often glosses over the complexities of cultural exchange and power dynamics. The Alhambra, originally a Muslim palace, became a symbol of Spanish identity through a process of appropriation and reinterpretation. Linares' photograph then invites us to consider questions of authenticity, representation, and cultural ownership. Whose story is being told, and who has the power to tell it? How do images like this shape our understanding of history, identity, and the relationship between different cultures? In what ways does this portrayal align with or diverge from the lived experiences of those whose heritage is rooted in the Alhambra?