By the end of the XV century the Portuguese king Manuel aimed to marry the daughter of the Catholic Monarchs, Isabella, to unify the both empires, Portugal and Spain. In order to accomplish this purpose he made some visits to his fellows the Catholic Monarchs either in Seville or Toledo. In these two cities the royal palaces were part of the Moorish heritage left by centuries of Islamic rules remaining till these days fully decorated with the Moorish tiles. King Manuel fell in love and brought the Moorish tiles to Portugal to embellish his royal palaces.
The two first known artworks made on tiles in Portugal were set at the Our Lady of Conception Convent in Beja and at the National Palace of Sintra, being this one ordered by King Manuel. Remains in both buildings are astonishing tiles artworks imported from Seville and Córdoba.
The two first known artworks made on tiles in Portugal were set at the Our Lady of Conception Convent in Beja and at the National Palace of Sintra, being this one ordered by King Manuel. Remains in both buildings are astonishing tiles artworks imported from workshops from Seville and Córdoba.
Sintra National Palace it’s the most important example of the Mudéjar art in Portugal. The Mudéjar style was an artistic movement exclusive to Portugal and Spain and consisted of
incorporating
the Moorish motifs, materials and techniques to the Christian pieces of art. This movement was transversal to all art forms including architecture.
Picture of the National Palace in Sintra, the oldest royal palace in Portugal which features two of the most important Portuguese art identities: the Mudéjar art movement and the Portuguese late Gothic also called the Manueline style, paying tribute
to the king Manuel who spread it all over the world.
