Madinat al-Zahra Vegetal Designs
The ruined buildings of Madinat al-Zahra are notable for their carvings of curvilinear vegetal patterns. Unusually, they are carved into slabs of stone superimposed onto the structure of the building, thus acting as a type of skin. The palace reception hall (not pictured here) had a decorative program based on the theme of the tree of life, which these designs, seen on another residence in the ruined complex, seem to continue. Stylized leaves and vines interplay with bands of geometric patterns that convey a sense of energetic vibrancy and movement.