Walking around Lisbon, Portugal, you will be struck by the ubiquitous use of colored, patterned tiles covering the exteriors and interiors of nearly every building. The painted tin-glazed tilework, called azulejos, is a centuries-old ornamental art form in Portugal and Spain creating dynamic visual displays while also providing a means of temperature control. The artistic styles run the gamut from repeated patterns, to abstract and floral compositions, to ornately illustrated scenes and landscapes.

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