mudejar: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low FrequencyAcademic / Technical (Art History, Architectural History, Medieval Studies)
Quick answer
What does “mudejar” mean?
An architectural and artistic style of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) that developed between the 12th and 16th centuries, created by Muslim craftsmen working for Christian patrons.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An architectural and artistic style of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) that developed between the 12th and 16th centuries, created by Muslim craftsmen working for Christian patrons.
Refers to the historical Muslim populations (Mudéjars) who remained in Iberia after the Christian reconquest (Reconquista) and lived under Christian rule, retaining their religion, language, and laws for a period. As a modifier, it describes artifacts, designs, or cultural elements (textiles, carpentry, pottery) produced in this hybrid, post-Islamic but Islamic-influenced tradition under Christian rule.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The term is used identically in UK and US academic contexts.
Connotations
Both varieties carry the same technical, scholarly connotations.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general usage in both varieties, confined to specialist fields.
Grammar
How to Use “mudejar” in a Sentence
[adjective] + Mudejar + [noun]of + Mudejar + originin + the + Mudejar + styleVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mudejar” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The style was not 'mudejared'; it evolved organically.
- One cannot simply 'mudejar' a modern building.
American English
- The style was not 'mudejared'; it evolved organically.
- You can't just 'mudejar' a facade without historical context.
adverb
British English
- The chapel was decorated mudejar-style, with intricate stucco.
- The architect designed the porch quite mudejar, with horseshoe arches.
American English
- The interior was designed mudejar-style, featuring elaborate tilework.
- The gate was built mudejar, using brick and ceramic decoration.
adjective
British English
- The mudejar ceiling in the palace is a masterpiece of geometric woodwork.
- We studied mudejar brickwork patterns in Toledo.
American English
- The Mudejar tower is the city's most recognisable landmark.
- The museum has a collection of mudejar textiles.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in art history, architectural history, and medieval Iberian history papers and lectures.
Everyday
Extremely unlikely to be encountered outside of travel guides to Spain discussing specific buildings.
Technical
Used as a precise stylistic and historical classification for buildings, artworks, and artifacts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mudejar”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mudejar”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mudejar”
- Pronouncing it as /ˈmjuːdədʒɑːr/ or /ˈmʌdɛdʒər/.
- Using it to describe modern people or contemporary art.
- Capitalising it when used as a general adjective (e.g., 'mudejar art' is acceptable).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while most famously applied to architecture (churches, towers, palaces), the term is also used for other arts like woodworking (artesonado ceilings), metalwork, ceramics, and textiles produced under the same historical conditions.
'Moorish' is a broad term for the Islamic art of the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa. 'Mudéjar' is specific to the art produced *under Christian rule* after areas were reconquered. 'Hispano-Moresque' often refers more narrowly to a type of lustreware pottery produced in this period, sometimes overlapping with Mudéjar.
It is typically capitalised when referring specifically to the historical people (the Mudéjars) or as part of a formal style name (e.g., Mudéjar Style of Aragon). When used as a general adjective for the style (e.g., mudejar art), it is often lowercased, especially in academic writing.
Notable examples are found throughout Spain, especially in Aragon (Teruel, Zaragoza), Castile, and Andalusia. Key sites include the Alcázar of Seville, the Torre del Salvador in Teruel, and the Aljafería Palace in Zaragoza. UNESCO has designated several Mudéjar sites in Aragon as World Heritage.
An architectural and artistic style of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) that developed between the 12th and 16th centuries, created by Muslim craftsmen working for Christian patrons.
Mudejar is usually academic / technical (art history, architectural history, medieval studies) in register.
Mudejar: in British English it is pronounced /muːˈdeɪhɑː/, and in American English it is pronounced /muˈdeɪhɑr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “There are no established English idioms containing the word 'mudejar'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MUDejar: 'MU' for Muslim, 'DEJAR' (Spanish 'to leave') – the art left behind by Muslims who stayed under Christian rule.
Conceptual Metaphor
BRIDGE / HYBRID: Conceptualised as a cultural bridge or hybrid between Islamic and Christian worlds in medieval Spain.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a key characteristic of Mudejar art and architecture?