OUR SECRET GEOMETRY: A fascinating journey through Ibero-American mudejar art Kindle Edition

As Al-Andalus, the melting pot of eight centuries of Islamic and Iberian fusion, faded away, a new horizon opened on the other side of the Atlantic. The conquerors brought not only swords and crosses, but also the invisible legacy of a culture as rich and complex as the Peninsula they left behind.But to what extent did this forgotten heritage shape the identity of a new continent?This is not just an art history book, but the key to deciphering the cultural and artistic DNA of Ibero-America. I invite you to embark on a fascinating journey to unveil Ibero-American Mudejar Art, the dazzling artistic expression born from the collision between the Al-Andalus world, Christianity, and ancient indigenous cultures.Discover the revealing thesis: to say that Ibero-America is mestizo is to say that it is Mudejar.For more than two centuries, the "astonishing geometry" of Mudéjar art—with its intricately carved wooden ceilings, coffered ceilings, and marquetry—was not mere decoration. It was the foundational architectural language of the New World, a sign of convergence that today, ignored and minimized, cries out to be recognized as the centerpiece of our mestizo heritage.Discover in these pages the forgotten imprint that forged our identity:The Al-Andalus origin: From the Visigothic horseshoe arch to the arabesque of the Alhambra, explore the Hispano-Muslim foundations that made Mudejar art possible.The Atlantic Leap: Follow the trail of Mudejar art without borders, from the Mudejar style of Castile and León, the Sephardic synagogues of Toledo, and the splendor of the Royal Alcázar of Seville, its unexpected rebirth in the Canary Islands and Manueline Portugal, and its epic leap across the Atlantic in Madeira and the Canary Islands. This work traces the path of this boundless heritage.Mestizaje revealed: Journey through colonial America to discover the "secret geometry" in its masterpieces.Deep New Spain: Unveil the syncretism in stone and wood of Tlaxcala and Puebla, the Mudéjar resonance in iconic temples like the Royal Chapel of Cholula, and the Canarian echo in Zacatlán.The Andean Route: Explore the hidden riches of Quito, the elegance of Cartagena, the breathtaking dome of the Chapter House of San Francisco in Lima, and the crowning jewel: the coffered ceiling of Andahuaylillas in Cusco, the "Mudejar Sistine Chapel of the Americas."The hidden soul of Brazil: Discover the subtle Andalusian influence in the muxarabis (latticework screens) that provided privacy to colonial homes and explore the polychromy of the vibrant Sevillian tiles that adorned colonial life.This book doesn't just look at buildings; it deciphers the language of convergence. By analyzing syncretism in stonework, marquetry, Talavera tiles, and intricate ajaracas (figure-eight patterns), we unveil the technical versatility and profound geometric beauty that define our heritage.This book is a passionate declaration. It is an invitation to look deeper and discover our "secret geometry," that Al-Andalusian-Mudejar heritage which, despite being forgotten by Westernizing agendas, remains the immutable essence of our identity.Open its pages and understand why the beauty of our forms is the wisdom of our past. You will see that cultural fusion has never looked so dazzling. Read more