Islamic Art Notes

Reasons for Diversity in Islamic Art and Architecture

  • Islamic art and architecture diverge significantly from other art forms of the time due to their unique characteristics.

Architectural Elements of Mosques (Great Mosques)

  • Focus on identifying architectural features specific to mosques, particularly the grand mosques.

Calligraphy in Artwork and Written Works

  • Description and recognition of calligraphy's presence in Islamic art, written texts, and architectural contexts.

Types of Islamic Portable Arts

  • Exploration of diverse forms of Islamic portable arts, highlighting their significance and characteristics.

Aniconism

  • Aniconism is the practice of avoiding figural imagery or images of living creatures.

  • The Quran teaches that the creation of living forms is unique to Allah.

  • Some Islamic scholars interpret this to mean depictions of humans and animals are prohibited, especially in religious contexts.

Palace Of Meshatta: Frisee

  • The facade of the Palace of Meshatta features detailed elements.

  • This facade is not directly part of a mosque and contains small animal figures (elk, moose, lion).

  • The facade incorporates complex geometric designs, scrolling vines known as arabesques, and elaborate surface decoration.

  • Islamic art is characterized by the use of line, color, and pattern.

Mosque Of Ishfaan

  • The facade is a covering over the outer edge of the mosque made of brilliant blue glazed tiles.

  • The design includes arabesques (scrolling vine patterns).

  • Calligraphy is used to evoke emotion, replacing figural imagery.

Madrasa Mausoleum (Mosque)

  • It functions as a charitable complex, providing food and shelter to the poor.

  • It showcases personal wealth and status.

  • Arches made of interlocking marble pieces are a typical architectural design.

  • Walls are decorated with colorful marble paneling.

  • The mosque was funded by selling the estates of people who died during a plague.

Prayer Hall Of Cordoba (Umayyad Dynasty)

  • Located in Cordoba, Spain, influenced by local arts.

  • Features double flying arches.

  • Columns were recycled from other sites.

  • The Umayyad dynasty were patrons of the arts.

  • Arches are constructed using white stone and red brick, pieced together.

Calligraphy

  • Calligraphy is a celebrated art form in Islamic culture.

  • Pages from the Quran are written on parchment or vellum paper.

  • Calligraphers held high status in society.

  • Calligraphy is used on buildings to evoke emotion and on tableware.

  • A bowl with a Kufic border includes an inscription about the importance of wisdom.

Islamic Portable Arts

  • These were luxury items that brought status to patrons from both Islamic and European regions.

  • Examples include:

    • Banner of Las Navas de Tolosa:

      • Made of silk and gold with calligraphic panels.

      • Taken as a trophy by Christian King Ferdinand III.

    • Pen Box:

      • Inlaid with brass and belonged to a calligrapher named Kurusan.

      • Features scrolls, circular patterns, geometric designs, figures, and calligraphic inscriptions.

      • Brass inlays were used due to a shortage of silver.

Key Terms

  • Aniconism: Avoidance of figural imagery to prevent idolatry.

  • Arabesque: Elaborate method of repeating geometric forms reflecting plants and animals, often found on mosque walls.

  • Frizee: A wide central section of a piece of architecture featuring geometric designs, arabesques, and use of line, color, and pattern.

  • Facade: One side of the exterior of a building, such as the Mosque Of Isfahan, which includes blue glazed tiles.

  • Calligraphy: Visible expression of the spiritual world, linking the languages of Muslims and the Islamic religion.

  • Kufic: The oldest calligraphic form of Arabic scripts, characterized by straight lines, angles, and elongated lines.

  • Quran: The central religious text of Islam, focusing on moral significance rather than historical events.