"A Moorish Residence," by Racinet, 1888

Source: ebay, Nov. 2005

"The print depicts the ground and second floors of a Moorish residence. The main feature of the residence is the courtyard surrounded by open galleries, on the ground floor (left), and balconied walkways on the second floor (right) which provide access to individual apartments. A typical construction like that can be found in India, Constantinople, Egypt and the regions along the Mediterranean Sea. Open galleries enable a free flow of air thus maintaining pleasant temperatures within the house. The flooring is composed of terra-cotta tiles, hexagonally shaped (on the ground floor), on the second floor they are carried up along the wall as a form of wainscoting. Second floor also features a terrace that is used in the evening and, in effect, enlarges the living area of the house."