Moorish Alcove
The elaborate decoration of this alcove was inspired by Annie and Merton’s visit to the Moorish Palace of Alhambra, Granada, Spain, in 1910. The alcove features trompe l’oeil decoration. Trompe l’oeil, meaning ‘trick of the eye’, is a technique which creates the illusion of three dimensions through decorating a two-dimensional surface. The Arabic script written below the dome translates as ‘There is no Victor but God’ repeated twelve times. Originally, the fully glazed dome was not intended to house a central light. However, Annie and Merton may have realised that at night, or on dark winter days, this area was too gloomy and added a light. Artwork currently on display in the Moorish Alcove. Click on an artwork to find out more.
