The older sister of “Bou Inania” and built near the Al-Quaraouiine Mosque, the “Attarine” madrasa, more modest in size than the Bou Inania madrasa, was built in 1325 by the Marinid Sultan Abu Said Uthman. It is characteristic of medieval Muslim colleges: a patio paneled with polychrome earthenware in the center of which sits an Italian marble basin; alabaster columns topped with carved capitals, pillars decorated with excised ceramics; and ornate cedar doors, ceilings, arches, and lintels…
The decorations of the madrasas are inspired by 3 motifs: Geometric, Floral, or Epigraphic:
- The Geometric motif tolerates no whimsy. Based on repetition and symmetry, it plays solely on scales, with a preference for miniaturization. It is an art of combination. Curvilinear units give rise to arabesques, while rectilinear units create star polygons and rotating rosettes. Checkered structures are executed on mosaics and bricks.
- The Floral (or Vegetal) motif, inherited from the Arab-Andalusian tradition, is also very widespread, though always subordinate to the geometric decor within which it is inserted.
The Epigraphic motif combines cursive characters, which are the most frequent, with Kufic characters generally carved in stone.
