José GÓMEZ GALÁN
The Mudejar as an art style: a historiographical appraisal
El mudéjar como estilo artístico: una valoración historiográfica
Published in New Approaches in the Research on the Crown of Aragon
Keywords: Artistic Style, Cultural History, Historiography, History of Art, Mudejar Art.
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In this article, a detailed analysis of the historiography of Mudejar art is followed from the birth of the concept in the 19th Century until the present, in order to determine if it is possible to define Mudejar as an independent artistic style. The main points for and against this view are presented and analyzed using as a reference base the most important scientific works carried out in this respect, many of which offer varying interpretations regarding the subject. After the historiographical and epistemological critique, arguments are presented which defend Mudejar art as a singular artistic phenomenon while also giving recognition to the fusion of Christian and Islamic art elements which was the fruit of an intense transfer of cross-cultural knowledge. In this way, it is possible to speak of Mudejar as a cultural expression and an artistic style that emerged from a special geographical location at a unique historical time.