Islamic Art

* Used images of people and animals honoring their gods, goddesses. (Nike of Samothrace-- goddess of victory). Also gods of Egypt feature

* Employed Aniconism, the avoidance of figural imagery. Figures or living creatures missing. Qur'an teaches creation of living forms is unique to Allah, so some scholars interpret depiction is prohibited.

Ex: Frieze Detail of dacade of the palace of Mushatta. Not prominent figure, simply small figure and seperate from mosque.

* Used complex geometric designs

* Scrolling vines also known as arabesques

* Revels in surface decoration. Typical.

* Amazing use of line, color, and pattern. Advanced use of geometric elements.

The Mosque

Ex: Mosque of Isfahan. Facade made of brilliant blue glazed tiles that wrap around entire courtyard.. Arabesque, scrolling vine design.

* Since figural imagery was lacking, words were used to evoke emotion. Language written in calligraphy and placed on building.

| The moque pt 2

*Ex: The Madrasa-Mausoleum-Mosque

* Charitable complex

* Displayed piety

*Personal wealth of status

* Arches made of interlocking pieces of marble-- typical for mosques

* Walls decorated colorful marble panelling

* Money was no object, because plague killed many people during time. Estates sold from people who passed wsa used to fund.

Another example: Prayer hall, Cordoba, Spain

* Umayyad dynasty, centered in cordoba spain

* Noted paatrons of the arts

* Marble columns were recycled from other sites

* Used double-flying arches

- Made of white stone and red brick

* Umayyad dynasty was patrons of art.

* Arches made of white stone and red brick, not paint.

Calligraphy

Example: Page from the Quran written on parchment or vellum

Example: Bowl with Kufic Border. | Tableware | Says life is bitter without knowledge-- importance of wisdom.

Islamic Portable Arts

* Highly sought items were considered a luxury and brought status to their patrons both from Islam and Europe

Ex: Banner of Las Navas de Tolosa

- Composed of Silk and gold

- Calligraphic Panels

- Taken as trophy by Christian king Ferdinand III

Another example: Pen Box

* Inlaid, brass box belonged to Khurasan in the 13th century

* Scrolls, interlacing designs, and figures enliven its Calligraphic inscriptions

* Not attached to Mosque, could be moved

* Shortage of silver during this time, so brass inlay was used to keep working with metals

Extra definitions:
aniconism - Avoidance of figural imagery.

arabesques - An elaborate method of repeating geometric forms reflecting plants and animals.

frieze - A wide, central section of a piece of architecture.

facade - One side of the exterior of a building.

calligraphy - Visible expression of the spiritual world providing a link between the languages of the Muslims and the Islamic religion.

Kufic - The oldest calligraphic form of the various Arabic scripts.

Qur’an - The central religious text of Islam.