Mosaic Artisans in a Sunlit Courtyard

Beneath horseshoe arches and carved stucco, craftsmen kneel over floor panels laying tesserae into star-shaped geometric patterns, gold and blue chips catching the sun. Framed mosaic boards leaning against the columns show finished peacocks trailing floral tails, while others still show bare outlines waiting to be filled. Terracotta bowls brimming with cut glass in ruby, jade, and amber sit within arm's reach, alongside trowels, buckets of water, and sacks of grout. Potted citrus trees and a tiled fountain mark the courtyard's far end, and a pair of workers carry finished panels toward the shade of the cloister. Each craftsman bends over his own square of floor, piecing together a private constellation of color that only makes sense once the whole courtyard is walked. The pattern under every knee is complete in itself, yet clearly built to join its neighbors.