Chpt 8 Islamic Art

8.1 Describe the early formulation of Islamic art and architecture.
8.2 Recognize later developments in the Islamic art and architecture of Persia, Spain, and Turkey.
8.3 Interpret the diverse forms of luxury art produced in the Islamic world.
8.4 Identify the extension of Islamic art into the modern period.

Origins of Islam:
- Islam originated in Arabia in the early seventh century.
- Spread rapidly under its founder, Prophet Muhammad.
- Currently recognized as the world’s fastest-growing religion.
- Artists in Islamic lands developed a rich vocabulary of ornament.
Artistic Styles:
- Included complex geometric designs and scrolling vines, known as arabesques.

Construction:
- Built by the Umayyads between 691-692.
Architectural Features:
- Centralized octagonal plan drawing from Early Christian and Byzantine martyria.
- Dome rests on a tall drum supported by an arcade.
Interior Design:
- Mosaic friezes feature lush turquoise, blue, and green designs.
- The focal point is the precious rock, acting as a significant shrine.

Figure 8-1: Yahya Ibn Al-Wasiti, "Abu Zayd Preaching in a Mosque," ink, pigments, and gold on paper (Baghdad, Iraq, 1237).
Figure 8-2a: Exterior view of the Dome of the Rock.
Figure 8-2b: Cutaway drawing of the Dome of the Rock.
Figure 8-3: Interior view of the Dome of the Rock.

Life:
- Muhammad was born around 570 in Mecca.
- Received revelations from God beginning in 610.
- Fled with his companions to Medina in 622, a journey known as the hijira.
Core Beliefs:
- Central belief in a single, all-powerful God.
- Followed by the practice of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Mosques:
- All mosques oriented towards Mecca (qibla) for prayer.
- Mihrab niches: Identify the qibla wall within mosques.
- Maqsura: An enclosure in front of the mihrab.
- Minbar: A raised platform for the prayer leader.

Represents an early form of mosque design:
- Rectangular plan divided between a courtyard and a hypostyle prayer hall.
- Minaret became a standard feature at one end of the courtyard.

Historical Context:
- After the Abbasids overthrew the Umayyads in 750, Abd al-Rahman I fled to Spain to form a capital at Cordoba.
Construction Details:
- Built on the site of a Christian church.
- Notable distinctive horseshoe arches associated with Islamic architecture.
Renovations:
- Abd al-Rahman III and son al-Hakam II commissioned renovations, adding a ribbed dome in front of a new mihrab, utilizing Byzantine mosaic expertise.
Figures 8-5a & 8-5b: Illustrate the prayer hall and plan of the Great Mosque, showcasing its architectural significance.

Qur'an: Reverence for the Qur’an as God's word extends to the practice of writing itself.
Kufic Script:
- A formal early script found in a Syriac Qur’an from the 9th century.
- Characteristics include fat-bodied, blocky letters, commonly written on vellum prior to the widespread use of paper.
Decorative Examples:
- White pottery from Nishapur and Samarkand decorated with Kufic inscriptions, often carrying profound sayings.

Dynasty Establishment:
- The Saljuqs established their dynasty in Persia in 1040.
- Continued until 1157.
Architectural Innovations:
- Adoption of the iwan structure, an open vaulted room.
- Developed mosque/madrasa structures with four iwans around a courtyard.
Masjid-i Jami:
- Featured a south qibla iwan vaulted with muqarnas (niche-like cells).

Cultural Significance:
- The Alhambra in Granada exemplifies a palace surrounded by gardens, blending fortress elements with royal residences.
- Court of the Lions named for a fountain featuring carved lions, reflecting its historical function as a sunken garden.
Architectural Features:
- Hall of Abencerrajes noted for exquisitely carved stucco that enhances acoustics, employing muqarnas and corner squinches in its dome.

Expansion and Influence:
- Capture of Constantinople by Ottoman Turks in 1453 led to the transformation of Hagia Sophia into a mosque.
- Motivated the construction of ambitious domed mosques.
Architectural Mastery:
- Under Sultan Suleyman I, achieved a peak in construction rivaling the Roman Empire.
- Sinan, a prominent architect, designed a mosque complex for Suleyman's son.

Enameled Glass Art:
- Mamluk dynasty commissioned enameled glass lamps for mosques, showcasing the combination of art and religious purpose.
Metalworking Innovations:
- Created new forms like dynamic basins made from inlaid bronze influenced by material shortages.
Textiles and Carpets:
- Rugs, especially Ushak carpets, symbolized wealth and featured intricate patterns like the “infinite arabesque.”

Contemporary Examples:
- Iraqi architect Sami Mousawi’s work on the Islamic Mosque and Cultural Center (1992) features clean lines and references to traditional Islamic designs, such as columns culminating in an eight-pointed star dome.

Select an Islamic building influenced by Roman or Byzantine art and explore which forms are borrowed and how they are transformed within Islamic context.
Compare and contrast two mosques from different regions of the Islamic world, noting both commonalities and variabilities in design.
Analyze a luxury artwork discussed in this chapter, focusing on its materials and techniques.
Evaluate how the Islamic Mosque and Cultural Center in Rome connects to traditional Islamic architectural features.