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Figures from

The Painted Wooden Ceiling of the Palatine Chapel

Cappella Palatina

Palermo, Sicily

The painted wooden ceiling of the Palatine Chapel, erected by Ruggero II immediately after his coronation in 1131 and consecrated in 1140, is the only monumental-scale pictorial cycle from the Fatimid period in the Mediterranean basin to have survived in its entirety. The ceiling, made up of star-shaped polygons, is decorated with lively scenes, painted in a clean, clear style with an undeniable Middle Eastern influence, depicting dancing girls, musicians, gamblers, lions and other animals, horsemen and wrestlers, all combined with geometric and vegetal decorations. The polygons are surrounded by inscriptions of good omens in kufic script. The band between the ceiling and the walls is decorated with muqarnas.
Click on an image for a larger version.

Cappella Palatina: Overiew

Cappella Palatina: 2 seated figures

Cappella Palatina: King

Cappella Palatina: Caravan
Photos by Joe Rock




Cappella Palatina: Scarf Dancer & 2 Musicians

Cappella Palatina: Goblet Drummer

Cappella Palatina: Frame Drummer

Cappella Palatina: Lady Preparing To Dance
From: siquillya, Musings on 12th century Sicily - Muquarnas




Cappella Palatina: Tanbur player

Cappella Palatina: Female Musician

Cappella Palatina: Man in robe, perhaps a eunuch

Cappella Palatina: Drinker
Referenced by siquillya, Musings on 12th century Sicily - More on the muqarnas, and something for the men



Some paintings on muqarnas seem to have been over-painted:

ISL15165

ISL15168

ISL15233


ISL slides. Photographs taken under the supervision of Robert Hillenbrand in 1989, after the restoration of 1949-1953. Khalili Research Centre, University of Oxford (© University of Edinburgh and the Barakat Trust).

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Other 12th Century Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers








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