Islamic Art

Aniconic

"No images" tradition that does not encourage visual imagery in religion

Persian Manuscripts

- Mongolian rulers who conquered Iran in 1258 introduced Chinese painting to Iran - Diverse manuscript paintings were cultivated throughout Persia under Chinese painting influence - Chinese elements survive in the appearance of figures, incorporation of rocks and clouds, and the appearance of dragons and chrysanthemums

Ottoman Architecture

- Ottoman emperors were lavish patrons of architecture - Developed new type of mosque w/ square prayer hall covered by a dome - Appealing geometric clarity

Muhammad ibn al-Zain (Basin or Baptistere de St. Louis)

1320-1340 Brass inlaid with gold and silver Louvre, Paris A water basin to wash your hands at official ceremonies Later use was for baptism fro French royal family No empty spaces (horror vacui) Artists signature (only calligraphy on it) he wrote it 6 times Hunting alternate with battle scenes along side Mamluk hunters and Mongol enemies Bottom of bow: decorated with fish, eels, crabs, frogs, and crocodiles Hammered in gold and silver

Islamic Art

630 AD-the present -Modern concept, created by art historians in the 19th century -Doesn't have to do with the Islamic faith -Describes all art forms produced int eh Islamic world

Ottoman Turksih Art

9th-11th centuries Turkish people converted to Islam Dynasties established in Anatolia, (Ottomans, founded by Osman 1281-1326 AD) In 15th century, it became one of the great world powers

Folio from the Qur'an page

9th/10th early century Ink and gold on vellum

Art Terms for Luxury Art

Arabesque- Flowing, intricate, and symmetrical pattern derived from floral motifs Calligraphy- decorative handwriting Tessellations- Decoration using polygonal shapes with no gaps Kufic- form of the Arabic alphabet found in decorative inscriptions Pyxis- cylindrical box used for cosmetics

Mosque of Selim II

Architecture Layout- centrally planned inspired by layout of Hagia Sophia octagonal interior Designed by Sinan Interior design- window space for natural light, open interior, huge piers to support the dome, rests on 8 muqarnas, qibla- wall that faces Mecca Exterior design- 4 minarets, polychrome exterior is composed of stone mixed with brick Function- mosque, in Edirne, also has shops for studying the tradition of Muhammad (madrasas) Compared to Hagia Sophia

Carpets

Carpets are among the most fundamental of Islamic arts. Portable, typically made of silk and wools, carpets were traded and sold across the Islamic lands and beyond its boundaries to Europe and China. Carpets from Iran were prized Decorated mosques, shrines, homes, also hung on walls of houses to keep the warmth

Cloisonné

Enamelwork in which colored areas are separated by thin bands of metal usually gold or bronze

Five Pillars

Faith- (there is no god but Allah) Muhammad is his messenger Prayer- Salat- obligatory prayers said 5 times a day Charity- Zakat- "Purification" or "growth" Fasting during the month of Ramadan Pilgrimage- Hajj- trip to Mecca once in a lifetime

Horror Vacui

Fear of empty spaces

Carpets/Rugs

Fundamental Islamic art Portable Made of: silk and wools Traded and sold in Islam, Europe, and China Carpets from Iran were highly prized Decorated the floors of mosques, shrines and homes, were also hung on walls to preserve warmth in the winter

Key Ideas

Islamic Art dominates West Asia and South Europe Islamic architecture includes mosques, tombs, and monuments Islamic art is spread through pilgrimages Religious art contains no figures, but uses tessellation, calligraphy, and arabesques Islamic art specialize in ceramics, book illumination, textiles, and metalwork They tend to avoid perspective Carpets and tapestries are examples of Islamic textiles Islamic art excels in manuscript decoration

Merovingian (Frankish) Fibula

Looped fibula France 6th-7th centuries These fibulae are very ornate in comparison to the others, silver gilt worked in filigree with inlaid garnet and other stones also called Frankish: cloisonné, eagle motif, range of gems

Aradbil Carpet

Maqaud of Kashan 1539-1540 Silk on wool Purpose: prayer rug One lantern is larger than the other b/c when you are sitting on one side the other lantern looks the same size Named b/c of the town of Ardabil in north-west Iran Made for the shrine of Safi al-Din Ardabil Made from wool Knot-count directly impacts the value of it The Ardabil carpet has 340 knots per square inch

The Kaaba

Mecca. Saudi Arabia Kaaba means cube Rededicated by Muhammad in 631-632 CE Has renovations Granite masonry, covered with silk curtain and calligraphy They walk around the Kaaba in a circle, counterclockwise, 7 times

Lombardic Fibula

Mid-6th century Found in grave sites Gilded and inlaid with niello, hatches incisions, german

Chronology

Muhammad born in Mecca 570 Muhammad's first revelation 610 Muhammad's flight to Medina (Hijra) 622 Muhammad dies in Medina 632 *6th century AD*

Islamic Luxury Arts

Muslims excelled in luxury arts> Smaller in scale, and often private. Vast array of manuscript paintings, ceramics, textiles, and metalwork. One of the most popular forms in the Islamic world is Calligraphy. Considered to be the highest art form in the Islamic world. Calligraphers were the most respected Islamic artists. Even royalty dabbled in calligraphy.

The Book of Kings

Persian epic poem by Firdawsi telling the ancient history of Persia Contains 258 illustrated pages

Fleur De Lis

Represents the French royals

Pyxis of Al-Mughira

Southern Spain (Islamic Spain) 968 Ivory Holds cosmetics and aromatics Calligraphy that says, who it is for, what it is for, and it says Allah's blessing Low relief Eight medallions showing scenes of the royal court (hunting, falconry, sports, musicians)

Alhambra

Spain Palace if the Nasrid Sultans of Southern Spain Alhambra= red house Built on a hill Has palaces, gardens, water, pools, fountains, courtyard Looks like a fortress Overlooks the city of Granada Made of whitewashed stucco 1,730 meters 30 towers enclosing the city 4 main gates ornate interior contrasts the plain walls of the exterior Court of Lions- thin columns, intricate patterns, lions holding up a fountain in the middle meant to protect the place Hall of 2 sisters- dome on top, 16 windows (light makes a honeycomb pattern), muqarnas= honeycomb pattern, used for receptions Compared to Santa Sabina the Alhambra is much larger and more decorated

The Court of Guyumars

Sultan Muhammad 1522-1525 Ink, opaque watercolor, gold paper This excerpt shows the first king, Gayumars, enthroned before his community On left is his son; on right is his grandson Court appears in a semi-circle below him; they are all in court attire wearing leopard skins

Mecca

Where Muslims go on a pilgrimage

Bahram Gur Fights the Karg

c. 1310-1340 Ink and watercolor, gold, silver paper Iranian manuscript Large painted surface; calligraphy is diminished No shading Overlapping of planes Atmospheric perspective seen in the light blue background (blurring the background to make it look real) Bahram Gur= ancient Iranian king from the Sassanian dynasty Represents the ideal king; wears a crown and a golden halo Landscape paintings are prized in Chinese art They don't represent nature, but reflect the philosophical idea of the artistic Some parts are empty and other are crowded Reflection of the theory of yin and yang

Byzantine Fibula

ca. 430 Brooch or pin used by Roman military and prominent people Visigothic: cloisonné, amethyst, garnet, colored glass Cloisonné means "partitioned" in french, characterized by inlaid stones, popular in barbarian art