Islamic Art and Architecture

The Spread of Islam• By the time of

Muhammad’s death in 632, he had united most of Arabia under Islam

• Over the next century, Muslim forces conquered North Africa, Persia, Spain and what is now Pakistan

Art• Muslim philosophy about art: no

depiction of human beings (figurative art seen as competing with the omnipotence of God)

• So Muslim art developed away from depiction of humanity and focused on geometric design and calligraphy

Calligraphy• Most important form of art because the Qu’ran is written in Arabic

• Beautiful writing decorates mosques,palace walls,

metalwork, pottery, stone, glass, wood, textiles

Geometric Design• Complex geometric

patterns give impression of unending series of repetitions (illustrates infinite nature of God)

• Influenced also by Arab nomadic culture – life under the stars, in endless desert, gave them love of surfaces filled with radiant, boundless patterns, and lush visions of paradise and vines

Geometric Design•Some common patterns:

– Stars– Tesselations –designs repeated, filled in,

interlocking– Arabesque –motif of leaves, vines, flowers or

lines

IslamicArchitecture

Elements of Islamic Architecture

Minaret: tall spire with an onion-shaped or conical crown on mosques from which the muezzin calls the faithful to prayer

Elements of Islamic ArchitectureDome: symbolizes vault of heaven and divine dominance engulfing the faithful; most common forms are semi-circular and onion-shaped domes

Elements of Islamic Architecture

Pointed Arch: centered load-bearing thrust of the building on a vertical point, so that more of the building's weight could be supported outside, allowing for thinner pillars and higher ceilings, giving the building a lighter, more open feel.

Elements of Islamic ArchitectureHorseshoe Arch: the half-circle of the arch turns in on itself before meeting the supporting columns; allows for greater height, visual pattern and rhythm in design

Elements of Islamic Architecture

Mihrab - small central niche that marks the nearest wall to Mecca, that indicates the direction Muslims should face when praying

Dome of the Rock

Built on the site of the Second Jewish Temple in Jerusalem in 691

Enclosed the rock from which the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven

The structure is octagonal and the dome is borne by a double system of pillars and columns.

Suleyman Mosque, IstanbulBlends Islamic and Byzantine architectural elements

Contains a colonnaded peristyle and four minarets, only allowed to the mosque of a sultan

Great Mosque at CordobaConsidered a wonder of the medieval world, built in about 784

Most striking element: the system of columns supporting double arcades of arches

which delight and baffle the eye, making the columns

and arches appear to intersect in different ways

depending upon where one is standing

Alhambra Palace

built in the 13th century in Granada, Spain - effect was that of an oasis

sparkles with running water, garden terraces, pavilions, elevated walkways, towers and turrets

Taj Mahal in Agra, India, built in 1648 for Mumtaz Mahal, the favorite wife

of Shah Jahan

Massive structure standing in a superb formal water garden

Shimmering white marble façade conceals the heavy brick and rubble construction within