Spain’s Islamic heritage became a focal point in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, as the country grappled with political upheaval and issues of national identity. In their efforts to define “Spanishness,” many looked to medieval al-Andalus—the regions of Iberia ruled by Muslims between 711 and 1492. The Islamic monuments of Córdoba, Granada, and Seville, which were being excavated and restored, became powerful cultural symbols and popular images that often blended historical accuracy with exoticized fantasy. The paintings, prints, photographs, and drawings gathered in this exhibition demonstrate how Spanish cultural memory and national identity were constructed and negotiated during this transformative period.

Tuesday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Wednesday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Thursday 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday 1–5 p.m.

Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day

$12 adults; $10 seniors 65+; $4 non-SMU students; free for Meadows Museum members, SMU faculty/staff/students, and youth 18 and under.* Free admission Thursdays 5–9 p.m.

*Free admission is offered to all youth 18 and under through August 31, 2025, thanks to a grant from Fichtenbaum Charitable Trust, Bank of America, N.A., Co-Trustee.
The Meadows Museum will admit active military and their families for free at all times as a participant in the Blue Star Museum program.