Islamic Art

The Islamic World

• Islamic art includes art created after the 7th century in lands under Islamic rule. This means that any art created in these regions is considered Islamic, whether or not the artist was Muslim.

• Art is referred to as Islamic whether or not it has religious themes. • As the map shows that, at its height, Islamic influences spread throughout parts of Europe, Africa, the

Middle East, and Asia.

Elements of Islamic Art

1. Arabesques - vegetal patterns

2. Geometric patterns3. Calligraphy

As we examine each of these elements, notice that the primary means of artistic expression in Islamic art are the decorative arts rather than painting and sculpture.

Which elements of Islamic Art do you notice here?

Darb-i Imam Shrine, Iran

Arabesque

• The arabesque is a form of artistic decoration consisting of decorations based on repetitious patterns of scrolling and interlacing foliage, tendrils or plain lines, often combined with other elements.

• The design itself is very stylized.• The arabesque tends to be a continual and unending pattern.

– The arabesques symbolize the infinite nature of creation.

Both of these images are from Medina Azahara, a a vast, fortified Arab Muslim medieval palace-city built on the outskirts of Cordoba, Spain c. 940. When these were carved – over 1,000 years ago – they were very colorful.

Arabesque

Glazed earthenware, 15th Century Ottoman Empire, likely from the tomb of a sultan

Ceramic tiles, Syria, 17th Century

Explain how these 2 objects are examples of the arabesque

Geometric Patterns

• Probably more than any other design element, geometric patterns are associated with Islamic art.• Repeating geometric patterns are found on the most elaborate and famous architecture in the Islamic

world as well as on the most mundane household items.

Shajahan Mosque; Sindh, Pakistan, 1647

Exterior windows; Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem, 685 AD

Geometric Patterns

• The use of geometry in Islamic Art isn’t just for really old mosques. The dome above was built for a shopping mall in 2005.

• The bowl on the left is another example of geometry at work in Islamic art. What do you see?

Bowl from Iraq, 9th CenturyIbn Batuta Mall, Dubai, UAE, 2005

Calligraphy

• Calligraphy, or decorative printing, holds a central role in Islamic Art.

• The alphabet used is Arabic, itself a complex and lovely script.

• Most of the writing is from the Koran, the Islamic holy book, although there are also proclamations.

• Even though the script is beautiful and is used as an ornamentation, the meaning of the words is also important.

• The picture here is from the Taj Mahal. The script actually gets bigger toward the top of the structure so it stays readable from the ground.

Calligraphy

Notice the lines of symmetry in this calligraphy.

Translated: Ali is the deputy of God.

Translated: God is beautiful and loves beauty.

Putting it All Together

The next few slides will show Islamic artwork that features all three of the elements of Islamic art that we have talked about today.

Can you name each of the three elements and show where they are in the photo?

Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem, 685 AD

Sheik Lotf Allah Mosque; Iran,1618

Sheik Lotf Allah Mosque; Iran,1618