Study Notes on Art of the Islamic World

Foundation of Islam:
- Began in the early seventh century on the Arabian Peninsula.
- Founded by the prophet Muhammad, who Muslims believe is the final prophet receiving God’s word.
- Significant event in 610 CE: Muhammad receives the first revelation in a desert outside Mecca.
- Muhammad faced opposition in Mecca and fled to Medina in 622 CE.
- Returned to Mecca in 630 CE with followers and established the Kaaba as the center of Islam.

Artistic Growth:
- Similar to Christianity, the emergence of Islam inspired artistic progress, particularly in architecture and various art forms.
- The chapter divides Islamic art into two periods:
- Early Period: Unified artistic expression.
- Fragmented Period: Increased diversity due to regional variations by the tenth century.

Geographical Spread:
- The dark green area on a map represents the expansion of Islam under Muhammad.
- Light green area indicates expansion until 650 CE; lightest green area shows spread by 850 CE, reaching India and Spain.
- By the fifteenth century, Islam had further spread throughout northern Africa, the Near East, and parts of Asia.

Description:
- A cubical shrine historically believed to be built by Abraham and Ishmael for God.
- Muhammad removed pagan sculptures from the Kaaba and rededicated it to God, establishing it as the symbolic center of Islam.
- Direction of prayer and destination for the Hajj, the pilgrimage mandatory for Muslims.

Components:
1. Profession of Faith: Belief in one God and Muhammad as His messenger.
2. Prayer: Performing prayers five times daily towards Mecca.
3. Almsgiving: Voluntary annual tax of 1/40 of one's assets to help the poor.
4. Fasting: Observing fast from dawn until dusk during the month of Ramadan.
5. Pilgrimage (Hajj): Undertaking the journey to Mecca at least once if able.

Location: Built in Jerusalem after the Muslims took the city from the Byzantines.
- Significance: First major achievement in Islamic architecture; considered the third holiest site in Islam.
- Historical Context: Believed to be the site where Adam was created, and where Abraham nearly sacrificed his son Isaac.
- Muhammad's ascension to heaven also believed to have happened here.
- Structure Details:
- Octagonal base with a wooden dome originally covered in gold, later replaced with aluminum and gold leaf.
- Rich mosaics adorned the exterior, replaced with tiles during a sixteenth-century restoration.
- Architectural Influence:
- Borrowed elements from Byzantine architecture, notably San Vitale in Ravenna.
- Features include a dome over an octagonal base, hybrid columns, and continuous galleries.

Design:
- The inner dome's decoration includes flowing linear motifs and Arabic script from the Quran.
- Arabesque: A style employing intricate plant motifs and patterns, evocative of paradise.
- No figural imagery appears in the structure, reflecting Islamic artistic traditions.

Date: Ninth century, located in Tunisia.
Architecture:
- Based on Muhammad's home in Medina.
- Hippostyle Mosque Design: Features a flat roof supported by columns, creating a large interior space.
- A large atrium is present, with a dome marking the entrance and a mihrab indicating the direction of prayer.
- Minaret Implementation: Derived from Roman lighthouse architecture; used originally to signify Islamic presence and call to prayer.

Space Usage:
- 16 aisles of columns accommodate large assemblies, with Friday being the prayer gathering day for Muslims.
- Mihrab signifying the direction towards Mecca is positioned along the Qibla wall, akin to an apse in Christian churches.

Definition: A pulpit for the imam to deliver sermons, often ornate and made of wood.
- The oldest surviving example is housed in the Kairouan Mosque.
Geometrical Patterns:
- Key features include decorative geometric forms reminiscent of other Islamic architectural elements, such as the Dome of the Rock.

Types of Arches:
- Round Arch: Inherited from Roman designs.
- Horseshoe Arch: Pre-Islamic origin; became common in early Islamic architecture.
- Pointed Arch: Emerged during the Islamic period, often compared to Gothic architecture.
- Keel Arch: Variation similar to the pointed arch, flat sides with slopes; epitomizes Islamic architectural identity.

Establishment: Begun in the eighth century; expanded upon by subsequent rulers.
- Built over an earlier Christian church, illustrating appropriation of previous sacred sites.
Construction and Features:
- Dimensions: 620 feet by 460 feet, incorporates substantial open areas for washing.
- Interior: 514 columns, double arches with red and white stones creating a mesmerizing interior space (also known as oblac masonry).
Interior Aesthetics:
- The contrasts of red and white stone arches create continuity and expanse.
- Mihrab: Notable for its intricate decorations and Ottoman influences.

Kufic Script: Ancient Arabic script characterized by angular, linear forms often used in decorative contexts.
Ceramics:
- Example of a decorative bowl influenced by Chinese ceramics, showcases a black inscription on a white background with Arabic sayings.
- Islamic ceramics, especially those from Iran, reflect cultural trading in the Silk Road region.

Description:
- Manuscripts made between the ninth and tenth centuries, featuring ink and gold on vellum.
- Calligraphy is an esteemed art form and a method for transcribing and adorning the Quran.
Differences Compared to Christian Texts:
- Unlike Christian texts which may depict human or animal forms, Islamic texts avoid such imagery and instead focus on decorative Arabic script and motifs.
Importance of Script Size:
- Texts often written in large script so multiple people can read simultaneously during worship.

Next Lecture Preview:
- Focus on the evolution of mosque architecture and further exploration of Islamic artistry, calligraphy, and the diversification of Islamic cultural expressions.