Islamic ArtBasic Principles

What is meant by Islamic Art?

Learning Objectives

To understand the different forms of Islamic Art.

To prepare an artwork based on the rules of Islamic Art.

What is

Islamic Art?

Art that is influenced by Islam is found in many places in the world.

• The influence may be cultural, or• The influence may be religious

3 MAIN STYLES:GeometricCalligraphicMedallions

Geometric designs are based on mathematical shapes.

Can you tell what shapes these tiles are based on?

The Calligraphic style uses Arabic script as the focal point

of a design.

This marble foundation stone from Egypt is decorated in the

Calligraphic style.

The

Medallion style usually has a central image that is more important than

other elements of the design.

It is easy to see the medallion in the center of this carpet from Iran.

Let’s Review!Can you identify this style?

…and this one?

Last chance!

Here are the answers:

This is theGEOMETRIC STYLE!

This is a box in the medallion style. It was carved from

ivory.

This science dish was designed in the calligraphic style. It says,“Science, its taste is bitter at the beginning but, at the end, sweeter than honey. Blessing.”

That’s the end of the show!

Do you think you are ready to test your skill?

The Dome of the RockThe Dome of the Rock is an Islamic shrine (or reliquary) and a major landmark located on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. It was completed in 691, making it the oldest extant Islamic building in the world.

Muslims believe that Mohammed ascended to Heaven from the rock inside of this Dome. The building is only open to Muslims.

Jews believe that it was on this rock that Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac, and this stone may have once stood in Solomon's Temple. Muslim tradition also has it that it an angel will appear here with a trumpet call to announce the Last Judgment at end of the world.

This close-up photo of the lower exterior of the Dome of the Rock shows the magnificent tile work done by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1545. The arched niches used to contain mosaics, but they turned out to be too delicate for the harsh winters and Suleiman finally resolved the problem by replacing them all with tile. The Arabic inscription is of verses from the Qur'an.

IMPORTANT NOTE!!

In the Islamic religion, it is forbidden to worship other Gods… Islamic art takes this rule VERY seriously by forbidding images of animals or people (which could represent Gods) in their sacred buildings. For this reason, art of Islamic Holy places lacks figural representations. Instead, Islamic artists created elaborate abstract designs.

Columns, arches and ambulatory inside the Dome.

Mihrab

A mihrab is a niche in the wall of a mosque that indicates the qibla, that is, the direction of Mecca and hence the direction that Muslims should face when praying. The wall in which a mihrab appears is thus the "qibla wall."

Today, Mihrabs vary in size, are usually ornately decorated and often designed to give the impression of an arched doorway or a passage to Mecca.

Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad are written in kufic script on the borders of the pointed arch of the niche.

Mihrab in Hagia Sophia, Istanbul.

ISLAMIC ART

Mihrab (prayer niche)

Glazed ceramic tile

15th-16th Century

ISLAMIC ART

Cincinnati Art Museum

ArabesquesThe arabesque is an elaborative application of repeating geometric forms that often echo the forms of plants and animals. Arabesques are an element of Islamic art usually found decorating the walls of mosques.

The Taj Mahal, Agra, India. ISLAMIC ART

Great Mosque of Cordoba (Spain)Once one of the biggest mosques in the World, it’s now a Catholic Cathedral since the Spanish

Inquisition.

Great Mosque of Cordoba (Spain) - InteriorOnce one of the biggest mosques in the World, it’s now a Catholic Cathedral since the Spanish Inquisition.