1 19 The Islamic World
2 Learning Objectives Summarize the historical development of Islam as a world religion. Discuss art and architectural forms most common to Islamic cultures. Use terms that are particular to Islamic art and architecture. Compare characteristics of Islamic art to Christian artistic traditions in Europe. Recognize the importance of visual pattern and aesthetic pleasure in Islamic art.
3 Introduction Islam MuslimA follower of Islam "One who submits to God" Begins in 622 CE with Muhammad's emigration to Medina Quickly spread from Byzantine Empire North Africa Spain and other parts of Europe
4 Introduction Artistic traditions of MuslimsAllowed conquered peoples to retain religion and culture Adaptation of extant traditions Frown upon representation of human figures used in a religious context Recreation of living things as competition with Allah (God), who created all Muhammad prohibited from imagery
5 Arab Lands Early houses of worship MosquesMust be big enough to accommodate all male worshippers for Friday prayers Include minarets (towers) that mark building's location Great Mosque in Kairouan, Tunisia Mihrab points to Mecca
6 Great Mosque. Kairouan, Tunisia. 836–875Great Mosque. Kairouan, Tunisia. 836–875. Photograph: © Roger Wood/Corbis. [Fig. 19-1] Great Mosque. Kairouan, Tunisia. 836–875. Photograph: © Roger Wood/Corbis. [Fig. 19-1]
7 Arab Lands Ceramic arts Major advance through luster technique PitcherGlaze that imparts a metallic sheen Most difficult to control Pitcher Thin body indicates decorative purposes, not practical ones Script expresses praise and good wishes to the owner
8 Podcast: Interview with Jonathan BloomPitcher (Spouted Ewer). Early 13th century. Luster over tin glaze. Height 6-4⁄5". Kashan. Reproduced by permission of the Syndics of the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, from the Ades Loan Collection. The Bridgeman Art Library. [Fig. 19-2] Pitcher (Spouted Ewer). Early 13th century. Luster over tin glaze. Height 6-4⁄5". Kashan. Reproduced by permission of the Syndics of the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, from the Ades Loan Collection. The Bridgeman Art Library. [Fig. 19-2]
9 Spain First land to be conquered by MuslimsDistinct culture including important scientists, poets, philosophers, architects, and artists Calligraphy For higher learning Used to enhance beauty of word of God Qur'an, the sacred text of Islam
10 Text of the Qur'an. 11th century. Colors on paperText of the Qur'an. 11th century. Colors on paper. North Africa or Spain. MS no Reproduced by kind permission of the Trustees of the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin. [Fig. 19-3] Text of the Qur'an. 11th century. Colors on paper. North Africa or Spain. MS no Reproduced by kind permission of the Trustees of the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin. [Fig. 19-3]
11 Spain Architecture Geometric and floral design motifs that complement calligraphy Court of the Lions, Alhambra palace Translucent webs of intricate decoration Light comes through small openings "There is no victor except God" in calligraphic script Palace itself a contained city
12 Architectural Panorama: AlhambraVideo: Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín, Granada Court of the Lions, Alhambra. Granada, Spain. 1309–1354. Photograph: SuperStock, Inc. [Fig. 19-4] Court of the Lions, Alhambra. Granada, Spain. 1309–1354. Photograph: SuperStock, Inc. [Fig. 19-4]
13 The Islamic World. [Fig. 19-5]
14 Persia Carpet Tile art Best-known Persian art in the West PortableMeans for spreading design ideas Tile art Mihrab from Iran Intricate designs satisfy urge for beauty Aesthetically pleasing patterns Tells story using script, not figures
15 Closer Look: Tile Mosaic MihrabMihrab. c Composite body, glazed, sawed to shape and assembled in mosaic. Height 11' 3". Iran. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1939 (39.20). Image copyright The MoMA/Art Resource/Scala, Florence. [Fig. 20-6] Mihrab. c Composite body, glazed, sawed to shape and assembled in mosaic. Height 11' 3". Iran. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1939 (39.20). Image copyright The MoMA/Art Resource/Scala, Florence. [Fig. 20-6]
16 Persia Madrasa Muslim theological school for history and interpretation of Qur'an and Islam Mir-i-Arab Madrasa in Uzbekistan Well-proportioned array of openings Iwan, the large covered porch at center Surfaces with floral, geometric, and epigraphic patterned tiles Color integral to architecture
17 Mir-i-Arab Madrasa, façade. 1535–1536. Bukhara, UzbekistanMir-i-Arab Madrasa, façade. 1535–1536. Bukhara, Uzbekistan. Photograph: David Flack. [Fig. 19-7] Mir-i-Arab Madrasa, façade. 1535–1536. Bukhara, Uzbekistan. Photograph: David Flack. [Fig. 19-7]
18 Persia Paintings Lavish illustrations of manuscriptsMost often produced in workshops with anonymous artists Sultan Sanjar and the Old Woman Sultan-Muhammad, revered painter of Safavid Persia Allegory on vanity Subtle gestures and detail Rocks rendered in the Chinese style
19 Attributed to Sultan-Muhammad. Sultan Sanjar and the Old WomanAttributed to Sultan-Muhammad. Sultan Sanjar and the Old Woman. From the Khamseh (Five Poems) of Nizami, folio –1543. Gouache on paper. 14-1⁄2" × 10". The British Library London © British Library Board/Robana. [Fig. 19-8] Attributed to Sultan-Muhammad. Sultan Sanjar and the Old Woman. From the Khamseh (Five Poems) of Nizami, folio –1543. Gouache on paper. 14-1⁄2" × 10". The British Library London © British Library Board/Robana. [Fig. 19-8]
20 Art Forms Us: Worship and RitualContemplating pattern Beautiful patterns uplift us in daily life Used by modern Muslim artists in new ways Usama Alshaibi, Allahu Akbar Digital video moving patterns in new ways Connection between visual delight and religious piety
21 Usama Alshaibi. Allahu Akbar. 2003. Still from digital videoUsama Alshaibi. Allahu Akbar Still from digital video. PAL, black/white, sound. [Fig. 19-9] Usama Alshaibi. Allahu Akbar Still from digital video. PAL, black/white, sound. [Fig. 19-9]
22 Art Forms Us: Worship and RitualContemplating pattern Charles Hossein Zenderoudi Large works consisting of Persian syllables repeated hundreds of times Meditation exercise VAV + HWE Based on words that mean "by he," or God Calligraphy constructs painting in concentric circles Pilgrims around holy shrine in Mecca
23 Charles Hossein Zenderoudi. VAV + HWE. 1972. Acrylic on canvasCharles Hossein Zenderoudi. VAV + HWE Acrylic on canvas. 78-3⁄4" × 78-3⁄4". Private collection. Photo © Christie's Images/The Bridgeman Art Library © 2013 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/ADAGP, Paris. [Fig ] Charles Hossein Zenderoudi. VAV + HWE Acrylic on canvas. 78-3⁄4" × 78-3⁄4". Private collection. Photo © Christie's Images/The Bridgeman Art Library © 2013 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/ADAGP, Paris. [Fig ]
24 India: The Mughal EmpireOnly a minority were Muslim Evolution of Islam farther from Arab roots Higher level of tolerance Akbar Establishment of a religion to incorporate elements of all religions Encouragement to depict figures in art
25 India: The Mughal EmpireAkbar Throne room, Divan-iKhass Ornate pillar with four passageways Akbar sat at the center atop the pillar at the metaphor for intersection of religious systems.
26 Closer Look: Private Audience Hall, Fatehpur SikriDivan-i-Khas, interior. 1570–1580. Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh, India. Photo Jonathan M. Bloom and Sheila S. Blair. [Fig ] Divan-i-Khas, interior. 1570–1580. Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh, India. Photo Jonathan M. Bloom and Sheila S. Blair. [Fig ]
27 India: The Mughal EmpireShah Jahan Last Mughal ruler Taj Mahal Built for favorite wife that died in childbirth Central iwan fronted with a pointed arch Beauty from expensive materials and poetic arrangement of mass Paradise motif in the inscription surrounding the doorway arch
28 Architectural Simulation: Taj MahalCloser Look: Taj Mahal Web Resource: Taj Mahal Taj Mahal, central iwan, upper portion. 1632–1648. Agra, India. Gavin Hellier/Robert Harding. [Fig ] Taj Mahal, central iwan, upper portion. 1632–1648. Agra, India. Gavin Hellier/Robert Harding. [Fig ]