Focus on this artwork and explain the The painting.
The picture shows the handing over of the keys of the city of Granada by Emir Muhammad XII (Boabdil) of Granada to the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, Isabella and Ferdinand on 2 January 1492.The group of Christian conquerors is depicted on the right side of the painting, as seen from the viewer. Slightly to the left of the center there is a gap to the group of Muslim conquered. The separation is reinforced by a wheel track on the path visible there. This also emphasizes perspective.
Due to her positioning in the foreground, the light colors of her clothing, which stand out strongly against the dark background consisting of cypresses at this point, and the white of her white horse, the queen forms an eye-catcher. She is dressed in a light green and gold brocade dress and wears a light blue brocade cloak with a white ermine collar. The queen's crown is the same as the one still kept in Granada today.
King Ferdinand is depicted with almost no overlap. He is dressed entirely in red. He wears a Venetian cloak of red velvet, red stockings, and a red cap connected to a crown. He has opened his right hand to receive the keys. Between the royal couple, one can recognize their two eldest children. Crown Prince John of Aragon and Castile wears a crown. The husband of the Infanta Isabella of Aragon and Castile, the Infante Alfonso of Portugal, had died on 13 July 1491. She is therefore wearing black mourning clothes. On the right, behind the queen, one can see some ladies of the court and people who played a role in the conquest of the kingdom of Granada.
The group of the emir and his entourage is shown a bit further back in perspective. This leads to the fact that the persons are shown smaller. Emir Muhammad XII is dressed in black, riding a black horse led by a black servant. He holds the keys to the city in his right hand. His entourage is not mounted, but apparently still carries weapons.
In the background of the picture one can see a city wall, white buildings, and on the mountain the castle Alhambra.
Catholic Monarchs of Spain Alhambra center Alfonso of Portugal Spain Boabdil Emir Crown Prince John of Aragon