Art of the Islamic World

Aniconic

art does not contain representations of humans or animals Islamic art is NOT anionic; some wealthy people had art with human and animal figures

Islamic Art

arts that were produced in the lands where Islam was the dominant religion of those who ruled; applies to all art forms produced in the Islamic World. -spans 1300 years and has incredible geographic diversity "GALLERIES FOR THE ART OF THE ARAB LANS, TURKEY, IRAN, Central Asia, South Asia

Taj Mahal

beautiful mausoleum at Agra, India built by the Mogul emperor Shah Jahan (completed in 1649) in memory of his favorite wife

Mosaics, Dome of the Rock

mosaics in the D of the R contain NO human or animal figures -contain vegetative scrolls and motifs, vessels and winged crows

Mecca

the holiest city of Islam; Muhammad's birthplace; now Saudi Arabia

tesserae on the horseshoe arch

the small piece of stone, glass, or other object that is pieced together with many others to create a mosaic

Bismillah

"in the name of God, the merciful, the beneficent" beginning of Quran chapers

Kaaba

(Islam) a black stone building in Mecca that is shaped like a cube and that is the most sacred Muslim pilgrim shrine

Why has the study of Islamic Art lagged behind other fields in art history?

1. Many scholars are not familiar with Farsi (dominant language in Iran). 2. the art forms do not correspond to those traditionally valued by art historians and collectors in the Western world.

The Inscription / Dome of the Rock

240 meters long that includes verses from the Qur'an

Minaret of the Great Mosque

A distinctive feature of mosque architecture, a tower from which the faithful are called to worship.

Islam

A religion based on the teachings of the prophet Mohammed which stresses belief in one god (Allah), Paradise and Hell, and a body of law written in the Quran. Followers are called Muslims.

God

Allah

Muhammad

Arab prophet; founder of religion of Islam; a merchant from Mecca

Themes in Islamic Art

Calligraphy Geometric and vegetative motifs Mosques with MINARETS mausolea gardens madrasas (religious schools)

Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem

The Rock is enclosed by two ambulatories (aisles that circle the Rock) and an octagonal exterior wall. The central colonnade (Clad in marble) was composed of four piers and twelve columns supporting a rounded drum that transitions into two-layered dome more than 20 meters in diameter.

Shahada

The confession of faith, the first of the Five Pillars and central creedal statement of Islam: "There is no god except God. Muhammad is the messenger of God."

Quran

The holy book of Islam organized into verses called AYAT

hypostyle hall in The Great Mosque

a large interior room characterized by many closely spaced columns that support its roof

Mihrab (prayer niche) of the Great Mosque of Cordoba

famous horseshoe arched prayer niche - the wall that faces Mecca

The Great Mosque of Cordoba/Mezquita - Catedral

in Spain Capital = Cordoba Hypostyle hall with 36 piers and 514 columns with double tiered arches for roof support Tesserae (tiles) for mosaics were brought from Constantinople as were the mosaicists Dome over the mihrab is on octagon of squinches Mosaics are by same mosaicists who completed the maqsura Ribs crisscross to form intricate decoration church rises out of center

The Dome of the Rock (Qubbat al-Sakhra

one of the most iconic images of the Middle East located in Jerusalem; stone masonry; wooden roof, decorated with glazed ceramic tile, mosaics, gilt aluminum and bronze dome *built between 685 and 691 -built by And al-Malik -a large rock sits in the center of it Rock commemorates the night journey of Muhammad into heaven