Owen Jones (1809-74)
'Plate XL Moresque No. 2' from 'The Grammar of Ornament'
1856
Chromolithograph
Published by Day & Son
National Art Library Pressmark 106.J.22

Owen Jones's proposed scheme for the South Kensington 'Alhambra Court' exhibits many of the 'Moorish' (meaning from Islamic Spain) design elements that Jones promoted in his 'Moresque' chapter in 'The Grammar of Ornament'. He was fascinated by the clarity and harmony he saw in Islamic design, and drew upon the Alhambra for many of his theories on tessellation and colour design, particularly in his advocacy of the use of primary colours: red, blue and yellow (gold).