artesonado

Artesonado is a decorative wooden coffered ceiling technique used in Spanish and Latin American architecture. It features a structural lattice of wooden beams that forms a grid of coffers, typically square or rectangular, which are filled with panels that are often carved, molded, or plastered. The result is a richly textured interior surface with geometric patterns and contrasting light and shadow. Construction requires skilled carpentry, with large beams supporting a network of transverse and longitudinal members to create the coffered panels, which are then finished with paint, stain, gilding, or polychrome decoration. Motifs range from geometric to vegetal or heraldic.

Geographic and historical scope: Artesonado ceilings are characteristic of medieval to early modern Iberian architecture and were widely adopted in Spanish colonial buildings in the Americas, including churches, monasteries, and palaces. The technique reflects a blending of Mudéjar woodwork traditions with European architectural styles and materials.

Usage and significance: The artesonado serves both aesthetic and acoustic purposes, conveying status and craftsmanship in interiors such as religious and royal spaces. In many regions, the term can refer to the entire coffered ceiling as well as the carved wooden panels that fill the coffers. The craft is associated with Mudéjar influences and later Renaissance and Baroque architectural contexts.