D. Fairchild Ruggles

In our post-9/11 world, a greater understanding across cultures is more important than ever before, yet the purpose of this program is not simply to provide political or historical context. Rather it is to explore and celebrate the great richness of Islamic art and architecture throughout the world to peer into extraordinary palaces and mosques, decorated with exquisite gardens, ceramics and paintings, to watch the play of light and space, and to sense the sheen of delicate textiles, of gold and silver work, and of rock crystal and precious gems.

Retracing an 800-year period in medieval Spain when Muslims, Christians and Jews coexisted in a manner that led to the creation of great works of art, literature, architecture and music.