B. Lynn Bodner

Author of the paper analyzing frieze patterns in Islamic art and architecture.

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Authored papers (3)

Frieze Patterns of the Alhambra2007
All 7 frieze symmetry groups (p111, p112, pm11, p1m1, pmm2, pmg2, and p1g1) are recoverable from a single building—the Alhambra in Granada, Spain—spanning materials as distinct as glazed tile, alicatado (cut tile), and yeso (plaster). Using the international four-symbol notation pxyz and the analytical method of identifying mirror reflections first, then rotational symmetry, then glide-reflections, each of the 7 groups is matched to a physical example at the palace. The p1g1 class, which requires glide-reflection symmetry along the translation axis but no rotation or mirror reflection, appears with notable rarity in planar Islamic mosaic tilings; corroborating evidence from Abas and Salman's statistical survey in Symmetries of Islamic Geometric Patterns shows that 2 of the 3 rarest wallpaper groups involve glide-reflections (pg and pmg), and a parallel survey of Seville's Real Alcázar found zero instances of p1g1. The pmg2 dado in Figure 6 is further distinguished by counterchange symmetry—background and foreground tiles sharing identical shapes. This implies that the rarity of glide-reflection symmetry is not accidental but reflects a systematic aesthetic or craft preference in the Islamic geometric tradition.
Classifying the Frieze Patterns of Seville's Real Alcázar2006
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Mudéjar Friezes of Seville's Real Alcázar2006
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