A Reassessment of the Location of the Mural Paintings in the Caliphal Palace of Samarra

A reassessment of the mural paintings in the Caliphal Palace of Samarra reveals their location to be more complex and widespread than previously documented. Contrary to earlier publications, these rare examples of figural decoration in an Islamic palace were found not only in private areas but also in a few public spaces within the palace complex. This finding challenges established interpretations and provides new insights into the architectural context and medieval use of the palace. The study employed a rigorous approach, analyzing archival records, museum collections, and medieval texts to reconstruct the palace's layout and contextualize the paintings' locations.

Dahmani, F. (2020). A Reassessment of the Location of the Mural Paintings in the Caliphal Palace of Samarra. Der Islam, 97(2), 367–404. https://doi.org/10.1515/islam-2020-0026