The arabesque is a type of ornamentation.
Arabesque is a term whose first meaning mentioned by the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ) refers to the adjective Arabic : that which is linked to Arabia . The most common use of the concept, however, is associated with a specific kind of ornamentation .
An arabesque, in this sense, is an ornament that is characterized by its peculiar patterns and geometric shapes . The name is related to the traditional decorative elements used in mosques and other Arab buildings.
Features of the arabesque
The arabesque, which is usually used in borders or endpapers and in baseboards, uses ribbons , leaves , tracery and other resources to achieve its aesthetic effect. Sometimes, in addition to leaves, it imitates the shape of certain animals or fruits .
Despite their connection with Islamic art , arabesques were already used by the Assyrians, the Romans, the ancient Egyptians and the Greeks. They were then popularized in the Renaissance , which carried the style throughout Europe .
The arabesque is characterized by its patterns and shapes.
Examples of use in Europe
In Spain we can find several examples of arabesque in the decoration of certain buildings, such as the Alhambra in Granada and the Mosque of Córdoba .
In Seville , the façade of its Alcázar exposes the use of arabesques in Mudejar art , an artistic style developed by the Christians of the Iberian Peninsula with Muslim influences, both in terms of materials and elements.
Speaking of European art in general, arabesques were already used in Ancient Rome to paint the facades of their palaces and public buildings, as well as their tombs. The symbology used in these cases was not arbitrary, but rather indicated the use that the monuments in question would receive. It is worth mentioning that the fall of the Empire led to the almost total disappearance of this type of decorations .
Although the designs and color palettes present a great variety, it is possible to distinguish three constants in all these examples of arabesques: in the lower region, a wide base with few decorations and dark red in color; in its middle part, a frame, generally yellow; Above, a frieze with a large number of very delicate compositions on a white background to increase contrast.
Arabesque in music
The term arabesque also appears in other contexts beyond the ornamental. In the field of music , an arabesque is called a composition whose form has a decorative style at a harmonic and melodic level.
The musical compositions that fall into this group are characterized by generating the image of a sinuous curve with a constant movement of incomings and outgoings , which results from the combination of parts in continuous movement and arpeggios that articulate the melodies. One of the most notable examples of arabesque is the suite entitled "Two Arabesques" , composed by Claude Debussy for piano and published at the end of the 19th century .
It is believed that the use of this word to name this musical line was the idea of Robert Schumann , in his piano piece op. 18 , free form. Given the decorative style of its harmony and melody, which in the West was reminiscent of the music of Arab countries, naming it arabesque seemed more than appropriate. It is important to note that Arabic music has no relationship with this type of composition, at least not a direct link.
a movie
“Arabesque” , on the other hand, is the title by which the film “Arabesque” , released in 1966 , was known in our language.
This film, directed by Stanley Donen , stars Gregory Peck and Sophia Loren . In the story , an Egyptologist who has the mission of deciphering a hieroglyph finds himself involved in a dangerous power conflict.